Dancer Found Dead In Joliet Leads To Will County Arrest

JOLIET, IL - The Will County Sheriff's Department made a blockbuster announcement on Wednesday night, revealing that a 24-year-old man from Fayetteville, North Carolina has been charged in the death of a 22-year-old woman found in the woods near Woodlawn Memorial Park off West Jefferson Street in Joliet Township.

Deiontae Shawnrico McMillian will be charged with concealment of a homicidal death in connection with the strangulation of Danica Shernay Ford, mother of two, of Concord, North Carolina, sheriff's officials announced. McMillian is in custody and being questioned by Will County Detectives at the Fayetteville North Carolina Police Department, police said.

Earlier this year, Will County Sheriff's Police revealed Wednesday night, an acquaintance offered McMillian a job at an insurance agency in Schaumburg, Illinois.

"McMillian left North Carolina and came to Illinois and worked that job for a very short period. Ford eventually came to Illinois where the couple moved from hotel to hotel, while Ford also worked as a dancer and hair stylist. Detectives believe it was at this time, that McMillian and Ford began having domestic problems where he ultimately killed her and discarded her body in the woods in Joliet Township," Will County Sheriff's officials announced.

After being tight-lipped about the homicide for several days, the Will County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday night issued lots of new details and information about the killing.

On Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 at 9 a.m. sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Jefferson Street and Eden Lane in Joliet Township regarding a deceased black woman. The next day, the Will County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy and concluded that the cause of death was strangulation.

"During the autopsy, a memorial tattoo was observed on Fords’s leg, which assisted detectives in positively identifying Ms. Ford. Detectives were able to piece together information from the tattoo, which led to the identity of the victim who had resided in the state of North Carolina," police said.

According to Will County Sheriff's Department officials ultimately tracked McMillian down from Joliet and Cook County back to North Carolina.

Will County detectives do not believe that Ford was murdered in Will County, nor does evidence suggest this.

"Ford’s body was discarded by the offender in a shallow grave in unincorporated Will County and set on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. Will County detectives worked tirelessly to piece together Ford’s last days, which ultimately led detectives onto the trail of McMillian," police said in a statement.

Will County Sheriff’s detectives are currently in North Carolina where they continue working this case with McMillian in custody. Detectives were also able to locate Ford’s vehicle at a North Carolina residence belonging to relatives of McMillian, with Ford’s North Carolina license plates removed presumably by McMillian.

Details of McMillan’s extradition are not known at this time, however upon his return to Will County he will be held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility. Bond has been set at $2 million.

When additional information becomes available in regards to this case, the Will County Sheriff’s Office will provide additional details when appropriate, police said.

Joliet Patch is reaching out to police in an attempt to track down a mugshot of the defendant and a photo of the victim.

Image via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor