Death Of Crest Hill Woman, 44, Leads To Concealment Charges

CREST HILL, IL — A 30-year-old Crest Hill man is now in the Will County Jail after Crest Hill police say Kelvanti Lawrence moved the dead body of 44-year-old Jeanie Marie Bresley from the Crest Hill Inn on Plainfield Road to another nearby location.

According to Friday's press release, Crest Hill officers were called to the 2100 block of Plainfield Road on Sunday to conduct a welfare check on a woman who looked to be sleeping inside a car. Police realized the woman was dead and launched a criminal investigation.

Crest Hill police say their investigators determined that Bresley had died at the Crest Hill Inn, and her body was moved to another nearby business in the 2100 block of Plainfield.

On Friday, the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow charged Lawrence with concealment of a death, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.

"For five years, she served as the dedicated manager of Circle K, leaving a lasting impact on her colleagues and customers," according to Bresley's obituary from Tezak Funeral Home in Joliet. "Jeanie's heartwarming dedication extended to her 20 years of service with Trinity Services, where her compassion touched countless lives. She also shared her love for sports as a softball coach with JSA, inspiring young athletes to reach for their dreams."

Bresley's oldest daughter told Joliet Patch that Lawrence had only come to the Joliet area in recent months. He had been working for Bresley at the Circle K on Plainfield Road near the Louis Joliet Mall since around April.

This week's autopsy did not determine whether Bresley died of natural causes such as a heart attack or stroke, or something that made her heart stop on its own, according to the daughter.

Bresley lived in the Shorewood area.

Bresley's daughter said that Lawrence had been living at the Crest Hill Inn on Plainfield Road, the location where her mother is believed to have died.

In court, Will County prosecutors revealed that Lawrence's identification card is from the state of Texas and that he has prior felony convictions. Bresley's daughter said that Crest Hill police are working with Joliet police as part of the ongoing death investigation.

She said it has not been determined whether her mother died of a possible drug-induced homicide or whether she was murdered.

On Friday, Joliet Patch asked Crest Hill Police Chief Ed Clark if the woman's death is considered suspicious or a drug overdose, but he did not respond to the question.

In his press release, Clark said the police investigation is ongoing and people should call his police department at 815-741-5115 and ask for investigations if they have any information about the case.

As for Lawrence, his next appearance is set for Courtroom 405 of Will County Judge Dave Carlson on Oct. 5.