Authorities ID Man Found Dead In Aroma Park Home After Tornado

KANKAKEE COUNTY, IL — Authorities on Friday released the identity of a person found dead Thursday inside an Aroma Park home damaged by Tuesday's EF-3 tornado.

Maurice R. Norington, 65, was found deceased from what appears to be injuries sustained from the storm, the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office said Friday. Norington was initially located by employees of a service company who were working in the area.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and neighbors of Mr. Norington,” said Sheriff Mike Downey.

“Our law enforcement and other first responders have had an incredibly difficult job to do since Tuesday evening’s devastating storms. I am extremely proud of their efforts up to this point and applaud them for their continued work as we attempt to move forward. I want to remind area residents in the impacted areas to continue to check on your loved ones and neighbors until everyone is completely accounted for.”

Norington's death brings the death toll to three from Tuesday's tornadoes that swept through parts of Illinois and northwest Indiana.

The EF-3 tornado, with winds of up to 150 mph, touched down Tuesday night and caused widespread damage. The tornado tracked from just west of Aroma Park to Lake Village, Indiana, before ending near DeMotte, Indiana.

The death is the first reported in Illinois in connection with Tuesday’s tornado in Kankakee County. Previously, nine people were reported injured.

An elderly couple was killed in Lake Village, Indiana, as the same tornado tracked into Indiana.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday night shared condolences for the victim's family.

"Saddened to share that in the recovery efforts in Kankakee County local officials have now learned of one casualty," Pritzker posted on social media. "My heart breaks for this individual’s family and the whole community. May their memory be a blessing."