9/23/2021
The Bloomington Police Department and Jelani's family has reported that he has been located and is deceased. Our hearts are heavy and our prayers are with Jelani's family and all those who know and love him.
Per the Bloomington Police Press Release:
LaSalle Coroner's Office identifies the male body located on 9/4/21; body confirmed to be missing person Jelani Day.
On Thursday September 23, 2021, the LaSalle County Coroner identified the male body found as Jelani Day, 25, of Bloomington, Illinois through forensic dental identification and DNA testing and comparison. Currently the cause of death is unknown, pending further investigation, and toxicology testing. Included in the investigation are the Bloomington Police Department, Illinois State University Police Department, Peru Police Department, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, LaSalle County Sheriff’s and Coroner’s Office, LaSalle County State’s Attorney Office, LaSalle Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Springfield Division, and the Illinois State Police.
Jel
ani Day was reported missing on August 25, 2021. Family reported that they had last spoken with him in the evening hours of Monday August 23, 2021. Jelani was seen at the Illinois State University campus on August 24, 2021, and his last known location was at Beyond Hello in Bloomington, Tuesday morning, at 9:21am. On Thursday August 26, 2021, Jelani’s vehicle was located in Peru, Illinois. Based on findings by the Peru Police Department when recovering the vehicle, a command post was established and an extensive K9 search was conducted by the Illinois State Police, drone aerial searches by Peru Fire and Utica Fire as well as a ground search by teams from Peru, Utica, and Oglesby. Subsequent searches were conducted in the Peru area and Jelani was not located. On September 4, 2021, an additional search was conducted in the LaSalle Peru area by members of the Illinois Search and Rescue Council along with other search agencies in the area. During the search a male decedent was recovered floating near the south bank of the Illinois River approximately ¼ mile east of the Illinois Rt. 251 Bridge.
Anyone with any information please contact the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office at 815-433-2161