EAST MOLINE, Ill. — The case of a body found in a stolen truck in the Mississippi River on Sept. 15 is being investigated as a homicide, according to Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson.
The truck was located by the Illinois DNR near the Empire Park boat ramp on the border of East Moline and Hampton and recovered by the Big River Rescue and Recovery Team.
The remains were transported to Springfield on Friday for a skeletal survey, the equivalent of an autopsy on a skeleton. The skeleton was identified as a male.
Gustafson says the preliminary cause of death is being withheld but the death is being investigated as a homicide.
There is no definitive identification of the body yet. DNA will be submitted to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab on Monday, Sept. 23.
Gustafson reports that the DNA analysis will take an "undisclosed amount of time," possibly up to 3 to 6 months. The office has been assured by the crime lab that the case will be fast-tracked.
Previous reporting:
An investigation is underway after a truck was recovered from the Mississippi River with what police suspect are human remains inside, according to East Moline Police Chief Jeff Ramsey.
The truck was located in the river near the boat ramp at Empire Park, which sits at the edge of East Moline and Hampton. The Big River Rescue and Recovery Team notified East Moline Police on Sunday, Sept. 15 about finding the vehicle. Police said it was reported stolen out of East Moline in 2017 and was buried deep in the mud.
Upon closer inspection of the truck, police said they found "suspected human remains" inside. Examination and identification of the remains are pending and will be conducted by Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson along with the Illinois State Police Crime Lab. The truck was processed for evidence.
The East Moline Fire Department, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois State Police, Rock Island County Coroner's Office, Big River Rescue and Recovery Team, QCOMM Dispatch Center and Sharpe Towing and Recovery assisted with the truck's recovery and subsequent investigation.
Ramsey said the department will continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact the East Moline Police Department at (309) 752-1555, Crime Stoppers at (309) 762-9500 or submit a tip through the P3 Tips App.
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