Body Found Near Jefferson St. Was Murder Victim: Sheriff

JOLIET, IL - The Will County Sheriff's Office announced late Tuesday afternoon that the dead body found by a hunter on Monday morning near the Woodlawn Memorial Park off West Jefferson Street was the victim of a homicide. At this point, however, authorities have not determined the victim's identity.

"The Will County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy today and have identified the victim as a female. Detectives are working on attempting to identify her. Cause of death was also determined by the Coroner's Office and was confirmed that it was a homicide. However, because of details surrounding the death, detectives believe information released at this time could potentially jeopardize the investigation. For that reason, no further information will be released at this time. Updates will be made when appropriate," sheriff's officials said in a statement.

The sheriff's department said that West Jefferson Street is now open and detectives are no longer on scene. However, people are warned to stay off the property where the body was found. The body was found about a quarter of a mile north of Jefferson Street, along a heavily wooded area.

"Reminder to the public, the property in which the body was discovered is privately owned. No one is allowed on the property without the owner’s consent," sheriff's officials said.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor