MT. VERNON – A murder investigation continues in Jefferson County after a dead body believed to be the victim of a homicide was found with the driver who was arrested after being stopped in rural Du Quoin Monday night.
According to the sheriff’s office, authorities learned about a possible homicide that had taken place at an unknown location. Information given to the sheriff’s office provided a suspect vehicle and deputies began searching for it.
Christopher Police later saw the vehicle at the intersection of Illinois 14 and 148 and began following it. Backup was requested. Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies assisted Christopher Police with a felony stop on the vehicle in the 9000 block of Birch Road in rural Du Quoin. Du Quoin Police, the Perry County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police also responded to help.
The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody and the only other person in the vehicle was dead, believed to be the homicide victim. Authorities secured the area to await the arrival of Jefferson County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies.
The investigation in Jefferson County also revealed the suspected location of the possible homicide. Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services was contacted to process the vehicle and scene of the stop and also the Jefferson County home believed to be the initial crime scene. The Jefferson County State’s Attorney was contacted to assist with search warrants for both scenes.
The Perry County Coroner was contacted to respond to collect the body of the victim. The driver was taken to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for questioning. The victim’s name is not being released until relatives are notified.
The sheriff’s office says more details will be released later.
