All rights reserved. Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Bloomington homes evacuated Saturday after car strikes house, gas line, Lawsuit: Normal police battered, arrested woman without cause, McLean County deputies find vehicle wanted in homicide investigation, 1 killed in crash on Interstate 55 in McLean County. Ottawa police said an autopsy will be Thursday and the investigation is continuing. "He is not a nobody, he is somebody and I want him to come back home. Anyone with information on Jelani Day's death is asked to call 815-433-2161. I want them to give my son the same attention, and it makes me mad because this young white girl is getting that attention and my young Black son is not.". The man's body was found on the north bank of the river, about a mile west of the Route 178 bridge, according to Ploch. Foul play is not suspected, and initial investigation indicates the death appears accidental, according to Peoria Police Department spokeswoman Amy Dotson. A crash reconstruction team from the Illinois State Police responded to assist. The LaSalle County coroner's office said while the body was determined to be a man's body, it remained unidentified as of Wednesday. The last place Day was seen, police said, was at a store in the Beyond / Hello cannabis dispensary chain. He loved his dad to the core. See key dates in the disappearance of and search for Jelani Day LOCAL, A6, Community stunned, grieving for Day LOCAL, A7. A dive team was called in, and the mans body was recovered at 4:20 PM. Bolden said her son was inspired to go down this career path after seeing a friend struggle. As of this moment, we do not know what happened to Jelani and we will not stop until we do.This week we learned new evidence has been discovered and police are working on new leads related to Jelani's disappearance. His family had last spoken to him Aug. 23, andthe faculty member noted he had not been in class for several days. ", With A Spotlight On Gabby Petito, The Parents Of 2 Missing Black Men Call For Action. 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An Atlanta woman was released from custody Friday on methamphetamine charges. Day's family had been pleading for help for weeks since he was reported missing on Aug. 25. Federal Bureau of Investigation Jesse Jordan Huffman was on the lam from federal drug charges out of Illinois for over a month before locals found him dead from an apparent suicide aboard a missing boat in Crystal River. Jesse Jackson, the Tribune said. At this moment there are more questions than answers surrounding Jelanis disappearance and death, and that is where we will focus our energy, the post read. He was excited about being able to help his dad. No further details were immediately available The autopsy results released this week in the Jelani Day case have not changed his familys message. Copyright 2021 WIFR. A toxicology test is also pending. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. A memorial planned by an ISU student for 4 p.m. Saturday at Uptown Circle had initially been framed as a protest, calling for the FBI to be involved in the case. There are no words to clearly communicate our devastation. A spokesperson for Durham Police said: "We were called to reports of a body in the River Wear near New Brancepeth, Durham City, shortly before 9am this morning. Everyone's talking about Gabby Petito: But they're having the wrong conversation, experts say. In her Facebook post, Bolden Day asked the community to continue to pray for her family as they focus on finding out what happened to her son. MUNSTER, Ind. Davis said their mothers are sisters and Jelani was more like a brother to her. Antioch man facing drug, weapons charges after SWAT team raid. Flick: The original Jake? Autopsy Report Reveals Disturbing Carmen Bolden Day says to work does not end with laying her son to rest. RELATED: Gabby Petito captured headlines when she went missing; do people of color get the same treatment? The mothers stolen car was later found in a parking lot. PETERSBURG, Ill. (WAND) - A man whose body was found in the Sangamon River Thursday was reported missing in December, authorities said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. The body of a man found in the Fox River in Elgin Wednesday is being investigated by the Illinois State Police, authorities said. His cause of death is unknown, police said, but is under investigation. The Illinois State University graduate student had been missing since Aug. 24; the cause and circumstances of his death are being investigated. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Missing Illinois State University student Jelani Day's body has been found, the LaSalle County Coroner's Office said Thursday. By Mick Zawislak. More than 300 people marched from Peru Police Department on Tuesday calling for more investigation, including activist Rev. Please subscribe to keep reading. Updated: 12:23 PM CST February 27, 2023. Day, 25, had been living in Bloomington, where he aspired to be a doctor. The manner of death was listed as undetermined by the office on Jan. 22. Day's motherpushed for national attention on the case, appearing on national television networks and news shows. Burlington Centrals Nicholas Gouriotis figures out the difference. PERU A body found in the Illinois River three weeks ago was identified Thursday as that ofJelani Day, the Illinois State University graduate student whose disappearance nearly a month ago triggered national attention and emotional pleas to those with information to come forward. His family in Danville and a faculty member at ISU reported him missing the next day. WebPolice on Monday afternoon identified a man found dead in the Arkansas River Sunday evening near downtown. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. Bloomington Police Officer John Fermon in September speaks during a press conference about the identification of Jelani Day. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer. Illinois Department of Natural Resources conservation police discovered Michael J. Warmerdams body in the Illinois River near the popular La Salle County state park on Saturday and contacted state police around 2 p.m., authorities said. "I just want to hear him call me and say, 'Mama, I just called you because I want to hear your voice,'" Jelani Day's mother said Wednesday. Day's relatives had previously submitted DNA samples to aid the search. Bloomington man charged for strangling domestic battery victim, Illinois State Fair announces 2023 theme days, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Cornerstone Christian making name for itself after capturing school's first regional title, Bloomington's Luther Oaks celebrates 8 centenarian residents, pushed for national attention on the case, was last seen on Aug. 24 entering the Beyond/Hello dispensary in Bloomington, Jelani Day burial service held in Danville Tuesday morning, Jelani Day investigation: Dive team found no evidence, sheriff says, Mother, lawyer comment about report of organs missing from Jelani Day, Illinois State Police: DNA backlog did not delay identification of Jelani Day's body, Watch now: Teachers look back at Jelani Day's promise, Watch now: Jelani Days siblings sing a tribute during Danville funeral, Watch now: Pursuit of justice continue beyond funeral, Jelani Days mom says, Watch now: In Danville, an emotional goodbye to Illinois State University student Jelani Day, Watch now: Jelani Day remembered as friend, teammate, leader, Watch now: Over 100 meet in LaSalle to release balloons for Jelani Day, Watch now: Jelani Day honored at Normal memorial, Petition asks federal, state authorities to investigate Jelani Day case, Watch now: Investigation continues in death of ISU grad student Jelani Day, Watch now: Bloomington police discuss impact of Jelani Day case, Watch now: Bloomington Police discuss Jelani Day identification, Body found in Illinois River is identified as missing ISU student Jelani Day, Watch now: Bloomington police discuss Jelani Day case on Thursday, A look at all of the images released in search for Jelani Day, Danville mayor asks for information about Jelani Day, Kinzy about missing ISU student: 'I ask that we all provide support to each other', Search continues for missing Illinois State University; fundraising totals $12,503 to support search, Search for missing Illinois State University student Jelani Day continues into fourth week, Body found in LaSalle County; Bloomington police involved in investigation, Watch now: Prayers, search continue for missing Illinois State University student Jelani Day, Watch now: Jelani Day's mother speaks about her missing son, Watch now: Loved ones continue search for missing Illinois State University student Jelani Day, Watch now: Mother of missing ISU graduate student Jelani Day pleads for her son's return, Family sets up GoFundMe to find ISU student Jelani Day, Bloomington police continue search for missing ISU grad student, Bloomington man, Illinois State University student reported missing, police say, Watch now: See the route for Jelani Day march planned Friday, Watch now: Rev. Police discovered the body "We ask that you continue to pray for our family during what will be very hard days ahead. The cause of death was not immediately known and was pending further investigation and toxicology testing, the coroner's office said. The search for Jelani "J.J." Day is officially over, as the coroner's office in LaSalle County, Ill., identified a body found in a river as Day's. The case renewed interest in what experts call "missing white woman syndrome," in which white women particularly young, attractive and blonde get the majority of the medias attention. Web95.9 The Rivers Mexico Madness Rules; General Contest Rules; Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; View Playlist History / national news. Bloomington Police responded, along with the Lasalle County Coroners Office, the Lasalle County Sheriffs Office, and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services. His car was later found in Peru, concealed by trees, officials said. Authorities on Sept. 23 said his body was found in the Illinois River. Hallie Bezner, attorney for Days family, also told The Pantagraph: I think that people read between the lines to try to have some conspiracy that doesn't exist.". Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Carmen Bolden Day received the Profile in Courage Award during the Rainbow PUSH Coalitions virtual presentation. On Sept. 4, another search recovered male remains floating near the south bank of the Illinois River, approximately a quarter-mile east of the Illinois Rte. The coroner said in a news release acquired from the LaSalle County Sherriff's Department that it will take from many days to weeks to identify the person found dead along the south bank of the Illinois River east of the Illinois 251 bridge. As of this moment, we do not know what happened to Jelani and we will not stop until we do, the family said. Day was last seen on Aug. 24 on campus at Illinois State READ MORE HERE. She has offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to his location, and a GoFundMe fundraiser had generated more than $17,000 by Thursday afternoon. According to a joint statement from the Peru and Bloomington police departments and the LaSalle County sheriff's and coroner's offices, Day was identified through forensic dental information and DNA testing and comparison. Illinois State Police K9 units searched the area, with assistance from the Peru and Utica fire departments' drone teams. The 25-year-old was reported missing on August 25 after he didn't show up to class in Bloomington, Ill., for several days. "Our hearts are broken.". In a Facebook post, Days mother, Carmen Bolden Day, wrote, There are no words to clearly communicate our devastation. Around 4:15 a.m., Munster police responded to 101-45th - An Illinois man was found dead on a street in northwest Indiana early Monday morning. MUNSTER, Ind. There was a problem saving your notification. Fermon also said their thoughts and prayers are with Day's family, his friends, and everyone who's involved. They DIDNT do their job, so they want to look at surface details., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Father of 5 vanishes after leaving Louisiana bar during work trip, San Francisco radio DJ had mysterious brain issues before disappearing, Missing dads remains found in sharks stomach, family IDs him by tattoos, San Fran radio DJ disappears after alarming Instagram post, body was found floating in the Illinois River. 618-239-2473. Early Monday morning snowmobile accident marks 6th snowmobile-related death in Vilas County this year. : 43 missing persons cases the FBI needs help solving. But investigators were unable to determine if his death was an accident. BLOOMINGTON A change.org petition asking for state and federal authorities to investigate the death of Illinois State University graduate st. The 25-year-old was reported missing on August 25 after he didn't show up to class in Bloomington, Ill., for several days. "He's educated. LASALLE COUNTY (WIFR) - City of Bloomington Police confirm via Facebook that a male body found in the Illinois River on Saturday, Sept. 4 is of missing Illinois State University student Jelani Day. Were lucky the story had exploded as well as it did. Jelani would never just disappear on his own. The Illinois State Police will take over the investigation into what led a Wheaton man to be found dead over the weekend in the Illinois River near Starved Rock State Park. The McLean County Sheriffs office said it continues to search for a second suspect in the alleged theft. LaSalle County Coroner Richard Ploch had said the identification could take many days or several weeks. A family set to be interviewed for our series 'The Missing' to spread awareness about their loved one, 26 Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesman Grant Bissell said a fisherman found the According to officials, his family last spoke to him on Aug. 23, and was last seen on campus on Aug. 24. Fermon said the department had worked with several organizations, including ISP, Peru police and several search and rescue teams. His family is heartbroken, and demanding answers about what exactly happened and how the investigation was conducted, especially after seeing the resources put into the disappearance of Gabby Petito. We're all trying to piece it together, which is why we need the help with the FBI. Bloomington Police Public Information Officer John Fermon talks to the media about the department's reaction to the identification of missing ISU student Jelani Day outside the department offices in Bloomington on Thursday. State police had no additional information about Warmerdams death and asked anyone with information to contact them at 815-224-1171, ext. ANTIOCH, Ill. (WLS) -- An Antioch man whose body was found in the Des Plaines River died from drowning, the Lake County Coroner's Office said Wednesday. My auntie didn't sleep well last night, his siblings didn't, my grandmother didn't, none of us did. Oswego Easts Jehvion Starwood steps up with winning 3-pointer in OT. A med student whose body was found floating in the Illinois River drowned to death, a coroner found but it still isnt clear how he ended up in the water. Jelani J.J. Day was reported missing Wednesday by his family and an Illinois State University faculty member. A body found in the Illinois River near Starved Rock State Park on Saturday has been identified. A BODY discovered in a river nearly three weeks ago has been confirmed as a graduate student missing from Illinois State University.Jelani Days ide. "There are no words to clearly communicate our devastation," Day's family said in a statement. READ MORE HERE. Pantagraph journalists spent last week in Danville speaking to those who knew Day, and they described him as big-hearted, hard-working and on a path to success. "We want to gain one thing, and that isjustice for Jelani Day," said Cameron Barnes, national youth director with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. At 6:39 a.m., officers responded toLorentz Avenue just north of the McClugage Bridge on a report of a man whose bodyhad been found by a Peoria Park District Police officer on routine patrol. God bless those khakis! Max A. Schuetze, 36, was Mollie Mansfield; Published: 7:31 ET, Sep 24 2021; Updated: 17:34 ET, Sep 24 2021; Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. "I want you to know, Jelani is not dead and we will find him," said his mother, speaking to a crowd of supporters on Friday night. Among the attendees is the Rev. Jelani "J.J." Day, 25,was last seen on Aug. 24 entering the Beyond/Hello dispensary in Bloomington. https://gofund.me/8ee08e46Thank you to every single person who has thought about, prayed for, talked about, and searched for Jelani. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. His family and friends are foremost in our thoughts during this difficult time and we extend our deepest condolences. But the LaSalle County coroners announcement on Monday of Days cause of death has left many unanswered questions. Youre not going to forget his name because Im not going to let you, Carmen Bolden Day said on Saturday. Day was a Masters student at ISU studying speech pathology and hoped to become a doctor. Illinois State University President Terri Kinzy sent a message to students Thursday extending condolences to Day's friends and family, adding that the community would be planning a celebration of his life soon. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). His mother spoke to the I-Team Wednesday, desperate for answers. We don't have to be family or blood related to help one another, said Leilia Young, 19, Bloomington. "Together, we mourn his loss. They want the public's help to find out what happened to Jelani Day, and are asking anyone with any information to contact police. In the post on the Justice for Jelani Day page, mom Carmen Bolden Day says she believes her son, described as an avid swimmer, was killed. In the news: Family remembers Peoria Heights man killed by COVID-19 at age 22, More: Worker suffers 'medical emergency' and veers city car down 40-foot embankment, Family remembers Peoria Heights man killed by COVID-19 at age 22, Worker suffers 'medical emergency' and veers city car down 40-foot embankment, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Over time, thats wherewell get that answer, he said, noting the department could not say whether or not any suspects had been identified. He was always outgoing and always making everything fun, he had a really great spirit," Davis said. Carmen Bolden Day, mother of missing Illinois State University student Jelani Day, speaks at an event Friday night in support of the search for him. 2 A body was identified as missing Jelani Day Credit: FOX 32 2 Based on findings by Peru police, when they found his car, searches were conducted in Peru, but Day was not found. Were not too proud to reach out for help, he said. Jun 21, 2021. "I didn't sleep well last night. Additional searches in the Peru area didnt find Day. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. Based on what the Peru Police Department found in his vehicle, Illinois State Police conducted an extensive K9 search along with drone aerial searches by Peru Fire and Utica Fire and ground search teams from Peru, Utica and Oglesby. More than likely it helped.. Two days later, police found his car in the woods 60 miles away in Peru, Illinois. The Vilas County Sheriffs According to the Sheriffs office, a family member filed the initial report on Monday morning, saying the man was likely snowmobiling in the Tomahawk area on Friday. His family last spoke with him the evening of Monday, Aug. 23 before he was first reported missing on Wednesday, Aug. 25. When the students body turned up in the river on Sept. 4, he was identified using dental records and DNA, according to cops. Bloomington (Ill.) Police hide caption. A body found floating in the Illinois River in LaSalle County has been identified as that of missing Illinois State University graduate studen, Authorities on Thursday said a body discovered in a river nearly three weeks ago has been confirmed as a graduate student missing from Illinoi, Jelani Day, a 25-year-old graduate student at ISU, was last seen the morning of Aug. 24 walking into the Beyond / Hello in Bloomington, accord, "We always say here, see something, hear something, know something, say something. There have been over a dozen fatal snowmobile crashes in Wisconsin since the start of the new year. Two or three other students had recently gone missing under nearly identical circumstances. OTTAWA, Ill. A 39-year-old man was found dead Thursday night in the Illinois River after apparently driving a car into it. Web95.9 The Rivers Mexico Madness Rules; General Contest Rules; Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; View Playlist History / national news. The family is devastated, but said now is the time they need answers. Missing ISU student identified after body found near Peru. A toxicology test is also pending. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Days mother posted on a Facebook page that she didnt think he son committed suicide, the Tribune said. After seeing the resources put into the Gabby Petito investigation, Day's family members wanted more work put into his case. Day's family has criticized the investigation into the grad student's disappearance, saying the young Black man has not received the attention of other missing persons like that of Gabby Petito, whose disappearance and subsequent death made national headlines and spawned a multi-state search from numerous law enforcement departments. Investigators were led to the Town of Wilson, where they found snowmobile tracks leading into open water on Somo Lake. The body of the missing Illinois State student was found in the Illinois River. His family approved the police releasing these images. Bloomington Police Department, Illinois State University Police Department, Peru Police Department, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, LaSalle County Sheriffs and Coroners Office, LaSalle County States Attorneys Office, LaSalle Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Springfield Division and the Illinois State Police were all involved in the investigation. We have been in communication with the Bloomington Police Department over the last several weeks on the case, she said. Over time, thats where well get that answer, he said of the investigation. We've received your submission. WebPolice on Monday afternoon identified a man found dead in the Arkansas River Sunday evening near downtown. Jelani A 71-year-old man reported missing over the weekend was found dead in Somo Lake on Monday afternoon. The department is still working to determine if foul play was involved. The LaSalle County Coroner identified the body of the 25-year-old Bloomington man through forensic dental identification and DNA testing and comparison. 251 Bridge," was identified Thursday as Day, a 25-year-old reported missing in late August. A motorist died after speeding from police late Wednesday and driving into the Illinois River at Allen Park, Ottawa police said. And that's all I'm asking for," Carmen Bolden Day said. "They're going to remember Jelani's name forever.. His family and a professor reported him missing on Aug. 25 after he did not show up for class for several days. A Tenino man who was found dead in the Toutle River has been identified, the Cowlitz County Coroners Office announced late Friday. "However what I was told that the crime lab does not have the solution that they need to process the DNA.". Chicago police found the body of 23-year-old Iaki Bascaran in the Chicago River after he went missing on the night before Halloween. Additional searches were held in the Peru area but failed to find Day until Sept. 4, when the Illinois Search and Rescue Council, among other responding agencies, recovered the body, according to the statement. Teri Maddox has been a reporter for 37 years, joining the Belleville News-Democrat in 1990. Day was last seen at Beyond Hello in Bloomington around 9:21 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24 and his vehicle was found in Peru on Thursday, Aug. 26. JelaniDay, 25, was last seen the morning of Aug. 24 walking into the Beyond/Hello store in Bloomington. He finished every time., Lifes a beach under the basket for Lemonts Miles Beachum. Window on the World. "He's just always alive for the party. 0:35 PEORIA Peoria police are investigating what happened to a person they found dead near the Illinois River early Sunday morning. Jelani was just an awesome man. The McLean County Coroners Office said the man was identified as Michael Warmerdam, 37, of Wheaton, Illinois. The office said at the time its investigation into the identity was "separate" from the investigation into Day's disappearance, though they did not elaborate. The body was located in a grassy area between the river and a paved parking lot. The family of Diego Barra, 32, recognized his remains due to a tattoo that was visible, Daniela Millatruz, the law The young man's disappearance was strange, but not unusual. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) The remains of a man who had disappeared in southern Argentina earlier this month appear to have been found inside a school shark that was captured by local fishermen. One was an air ball., Go big or go home. July 7, 2021 / 5:44 PM / CBS Chicago. It was just tough," said Bloomington Police public information officer John Fermon, according to WGLT.