The case of missing Northern Illinois University student and Plainfield resident Antin You Been Keller has reclassified as a Death Investigation, DeKalb Police said late Saturday night.
DeKalb Police, said Human Remains Have Been found in Prairie Park, and police said They HAD Keller That information was headed To this park. The Keller family has Been Notified That the Investigation is a death, DeKalb Chief of Police Bill Feithen said.
"We felt strongly about the Enough Developments and as well as the items were located That Through the course of this Investigation Thurs bring us To this point," Feithen said.
According to Feithen, Investigators from the DeKalb County Major Case Squad Recovered Human Remains and items consistent with property belonging Thurs Keller in Prairie Park, south of Route 38 in DeKalb. Police Are Not Releasing Any details on the items Recovered
The Remains've Not Been Identified, and Police Are Not confirming the condition of the Remains. They have apparently Been in the park for "some time, Perhaps since shortly after Keller's disappearance, police said. The cause of Death Remains Under Investigation, Feithen said.
"We're not Prepared to Give an Estimate of right now of When We Feel The Remains Can be Identified," Feithen said.
The Remains were found in a densely wooded area, not a Grassy area. A Portion of Prairie Park Remains cordoned off as officers continue the Investigation, police said. Feithen said the area will likely be sealed off for the next day or two.
"It really depends on the Evidence Technicians," they said. "It Could Be Sooner."
Investigators are actively pursuing Leads in the case and are seeking information about Any Suspicious Activity or Persons in Prairie Park, or about the time of Keller's disappearance.
Anyone with information is asked to Call Police at 815-748-8407 or 815-753-8477 or Crime Stoppers at 815-895-3272.
More Than A Week has Passed since Keller, a freshman is NIU's DeKalb campus, was last seen. Keller, 18, left her dormitory at about 11:30 am Oct. 14, "when she reportedly Told friends she was walking Thurs Prairie Park, a wooded area heavilly near the school.
An art portfolio she was initially thought To Be Carrying was found in her dorm room. Her family believes she left with it once, then it Returned to her room before leaving for her walk.
The 2010 graduate of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville is an art major at NIU.
Keller has Been thoroughly enjoying her first semester of college life, said Mary Tarling, of Naperville, You Antin's cousin, Who Is Serving as a family spokeswoman.
"Every expression she's Given in the past six or seven weeks she's been there was That she absolutely loved it," Tarling said last week. "It fit her very well. She just HAD Settled in and adored what she was doing. "
After DeKalb Police press conference on Saturday, NIU President John Peters ISSUED a statement, expressing deep concern and Sadness.
"I know That all of the NIU community is distressed from this news. The outpouring of support in the search for Toni has Been Inspirational. Our community rallied Together at the first Indication she was missing, and I Want to thank our students and the count less community volunteers WHO Have Been working tirelessly over the last week to get the word out about Toni's disappearance, "Peters said in a statement. "Please keep the Keller family in your Prayers Very Difficult DURING this time."
The university has Established an information hotline at 815-753, 4NIU (4648). Calls will be answered tonight from Until Saturday and from 9 am to to 6 p.m. Sunday. Parents and Students Organization have questions are encouraged to contact the university's information hotline. Also students will have Access to the campus counselors Until midnight on Saturday and from 9 am to to 6 p.m. Sunday.
"The university is united behind Meeting the Needs of Each and every one of our students As They COPE with this news," Peters said.
Officials NIU and the NIU Police Department have heightened Implemented Campus Safety and Security Measures. Late on Saturday at The University ISSUED an advisory cautioning Students To Be Extra Careful As They move about the campus and the DeKalb community. Students were Told Thurs move about the community in groups of Three or more.
NIU Police have Increased Their presence around the campus, and police are extending the normal "Late Night Ride Service" to a 4 pm to 8 a.m. Beginning on Saturday schedule. Students are being urged to-use this service, Especially if They are unable to find a group to travel with in and around campus.
Campus police are making Also available security escorts for Any NIU student, faculty or staff member in and around the campus is a 24-hour basis-. Access to campus residence halls is restricted Will Be Thurs hall residents only, with students needing Their official NIU identification Thurs gain access.
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