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Jelani Day had been missing since the 24th of August

Jelani Day

The circumstances behind Jelani Day’s death are still unknown, according to Bloomington Police. Authorities confirmed on Thursday that the corpse discovered three weeks ago in Peru, Illinois, belongs to Jelani Day, a missing Illinois State University graduate student from Bloomington. Day 25, has been missing since August 24, when he was last seen at ISU and a Bloomington business that morning. Two days later, his automobile was discovered near Peru, approximately an hour north of Bloomington-Normal. The corpse was discovered in the Illinois River on Sept. 4 approximately a mile from where the vehicle was discovered, drifting just east of the Illinois 251 bridge.

Authorities took nearly three weeks to identify the body. Through forensic dental identification and DNA testing and comparison, the LaSalle County coroner accomplished this on Thursday.

During a virtual press conference, Bloomington Police Public Information Officer John Fermon said the reason of Day’s death is yet unknown. He didn’t disclose if there were any people of interest in the investigation. “I think we can all agree that that was strange, especially coming from him,” Fermon added. “Was it a case of foul play or not?” says the narrator.

The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t concluded if the inquiry is a homicide yet, according to Fermon. A request for comment from the sheriff’s office has been ignored. Day’s case has gotten a lot of interest in central Illinois, and it recently went nationwide after Day’s mother complained that her son’s death wasn’t getting enough attention in comparison to another missing person case that got a lot of publicity.

The FBI has been added to the list of authorities looking into the incident. Fermon didn’t have a particular date for when the FBI was called in, but he did say that many individuals in the community demanded additional information on the issue.

“People were reaching out wanting to assist because Jelani was such a nice guy and had so many amazing friends,” he added. Fermon would not comment on the case’s evidence, but he did reveal that police got a tip that led them to the Illinois River, where his corpse was discovered. “It’s tough to search an entire city, but we received some information to give us that second search,” he said, adding that he hopes Thursday’s identification would bring the family some peace.

“I couldn’t see myself in their situation. “It was just difficult,” Fermon explained. “I believe it’s beneficial in that sense because I’d want to know the answers, good or bad, to start the mourning process.” Fermon said he understood the Day family’s dissatisfaction with how little attention the issue received at initially. “Many of our high-risk missing individuals right here in the city don’t get the attention they deserve,” Fermon added. “It’s great that this got out there. We’ll take it in stride.”

Fermon could not explain why it took nearly three weeks for a confirmed identification, but he did say the Illinois State Police crime lab had a backlog. The Division of Forensic Services of the State Police has declined to comment, citing its policy on open cases. ISU president Terri Goss Kinzy expressed her sadness at the news and promised that further information on how the campus community can join together to honor Jelani’s life will be released soon.

“During this terrible time, his family and friends are uppermost in our thoughts, and we send our heartfelt condolences,” Kinzy added. “Let us remember to look out for one another, to check in on one another, and to express our sentiments of love and sorrow to people we care about.” Kinzy praised everyone who helped bring the matter to the public’s attention. “Please remember that you are not alone as members of the Redbird family. Students seeking assistance should not hesitate to contact Student Counseling Services at any moment “Kinzy said.