GUILTY IL - Antinette 'Toni' Keller, 18, DeKalb, NIU Student, 14 October 2010

[Vresia]

...In cases of extreme fire impact, only hard tissues (bones, teeth) may be left for DNA analysis. DNA extracted from burnt bone fragments may be highly degraded, making an amplification of genetic markers difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, heavily burnt bones are very prone to contamination with external DNA.

We investigated whether authentic DNA profiles can be generated from human bones showing different stages of fire induced destruction (well preserved, semi-burnt, black burnt, blue–grey burnt, blue–grey–white burnt). DNA was extracted from 71 bone fragments derived from 13 individuals. Obtained genetic patterns (STRs and mtDNA sequences) were compared to the genetic pattern of the respective bodies.

...identification via DNA analysis is reliably and reproducibly possible from well preserved and semi-burnt bones. In black burnt bones the DNA was highly degraded and in some cases no nuclear DNA was left, leaving mitochondrial DNA analysis as an option. Blue–grey burnt bones lead only sporadically to authentic profiles. The investigation of blue–grey–white burnt bones barely led to reliable results.
Forensic Science International: Genetics published 2010 http://bit.ly/cpzpFF

 

[Soul125]

...In cases of extreme fire impact, only hard tissues (bones, teeth) may be left for DNA analysis. DNA extracted from burnt bone fragments may be highly degraded, making an amplification of genetic markers difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, heavily burnt bones are very prone to contamination with external DNA.

We investigated whether authentic DNA profiles can be generated from human bones showing different stages of fire induced destruction (well preserved, semi-burnt, black burnt, blue–grey burnt, blue–grey–white burnt). DNA was extracted from 71 bone fragments derived from 13 individuals. Obtained genetic patterns (STRs and mtDNA sequences) were compared to the genetic pattern of the respective bodies.

...identification via DNA analysis is reliably and reproducibly possible from well preserved and semi-burnt bones. In black burnt bones the DNA was highly degraded and in some cases no nuclear DNA was left, leaving mitochondrial DNA analysis as an option. Blue–grey burnt bones lead only sporadically to authentic profiles. The investigation of blue–grey–white burnt bones barely led to reliable results.
Forensic Science International: Genetics published 2010 http://bit.ly/cpzpFF

Wow, this is very interesting. Thanks. I guess there are some cases where DNA is not possible as identification.

 

[STEADFAST]

What if the perp left her belonging there unburnt because the remains aren't Antinette? Could he be one of those guys who kidnaps women and keeps them and he got tired of the one he had, killed and burned her, kidnapped Antinette and tried to make it look like it was Antinette who was burned up?

 

[Woe.be.gone]

My husband just walked in and I said 'this is the most perplexing case - the one right over at NIU." He said, "I know. The reason they burn bodies is to destroy any DNA evidence." I said, "Yes but how can you burn a body in Prairie Park and have no one notice?" He replied, "What I saw on TV, where the cop car was, wasn't Prairie Park. That was in the middle of a corn field somewhere." :waitasec: I said, "But they're saying PP." He said, "They don't give away all the evidence."

The reason I'm posting this is for the purpose of his immediate speculative thinking surrounding this - he has no inside knowledge. But like us, he stated 'how can you burn a body in PP and have no one notice." :waitasec:

 

[Chili Fries]

This news is so heartbreaking Poor poor Toni, and her family. This story caught my eye when I was reading the national news b/c I went to NIU in the early 90's.
When was Prairie Park developed? Is it pretty new? I was looking at Google maps and the park is surrounded by houses on the East and South. I wonder if this sick predator lives close by in one of those houses? He could walk back to the crime scene pretty much undetected in the middle of the night. My thoughts and prayers to all those that knew her. She had a beaming smile.

Chelsea King was the teenager who was sexually assaulted and murdered while she was jogging in a fairly remote area of a popular park in California. Her murderer, John Gardner, was staying with his mother, who lived next to the park. He was registered as a sex offender but didn't show up living near the park because he was staying with his mother and his registered residence was in another area. He also managed to conceal Chelsea's body, by placing it in a shallow lake that surprisingly took investigators a relatively long time to find. I believe he hid the body right after he murdered her.

 

[italianangel2411]

if i was a family member i would want definite proof it was my loved one other than belongings and clothing close by. i hope they can get some sort of dna off the bones

 

[krista]

Earlier this morning, there was a link to a Disney World blog where a parent of an NIU student had said that her son mentioned that 'several of her items were found in a 'hobo camp' in the park'. Girl from DS's dorm missing - The DIS Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

I wonder if the items weren't destroyed because they would be useful to wear or sell. If this person is a transient, he could have hidden the clothing and art supplies to come back to later.

As for burning her body....is it possible that another smell would eliminate or lessen the smell of human remains? Like, if gasoline was used....could that diminish the smell....or steaks grilling, or inscense......just trying to brainstorm as to why no one would smell such a powerful, distinct odor. I suppose it's possible that people just ignored the smell. Just like in so many other cases on WS, only after the fact does everyone come forward saying that they smelled something horrible.

 

[italianangel2411]

just read the 2 female girls are missing in IL, would like to know the distance away from prairie park. 1 is a 22 yr old girl and the other is a 21 yr old. if you go under missing the post cubby posted, 1 is 10 days ago went missing, the other is oct 16th, 2 days after Toni was last seen

 

[italianangel2411]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/10/26/police-seek-3-missing-persons/

 

[Woe.be.gone]

http://www.dekalbparkdistrict.com/sites/default/files/uploads/parkmap2010web.pdf

Prairie Park is No. 33. I'll try to find more information.

We were there in the mid 80's, a lot has changed. For instance, I don't think there was disc golf back then. My husband thinks we parked at the Science Bldg. and then walked over to the park. My memories are vague. He remembers houses on the DeKalb side of the park (whatever that means - ha!).

 

[italianangel2411]

I would be terrified if I was a student there right now just because they haven't arrested anyone, I would be scared if my kids attended there
such a heinous crime occuring close to the campus

 

[Woe.be.gone]

Earlier this morning, there was a link to a Disney World blog where a parent of an NIU student had said that her son mentioned that 'several of her items were found in a 'hobo camp' in the park'. Girl from DS's dorm missing - The DIS Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

I wonder if the items weren't destroyed because they would be useful to wear or sell. If this person is a transient, he could have hidden the clothing and art supplies to come back to later.

As for burning her body....is it possible that another smell would eliminate or lessen the smellof human remains? Like, if gasoline was used....could that diminish the smell....or steaks grilling, or inscense......just trying to brainstorm as to why no one would smell such a powerful, distinct odor. I suppose it's possible that people just ignored the smell. Just like in so many other cases on WS, only after the fact does everyone come forward saying that they smelled something horrible.

BBM ~ In my husband's opinion, no. He said it's a sweet acid sour like smell. Not like skunk - I said 'sour'. He said, well, it's a sweet nauseating smell that if you haven't smelled it before (he wrinkled his face) you say, ooooh what's that? Everyone says that it's a unique smell and once you've smelled it and know what it is, you know what it is. Like the smell of skunk but not the smell of skunk.

That's why it is so unbelievable that someone could do this and have it go undetected.

 

[Woe.be.gone]

It sounds as if a lot of park development took place in the 1990's. This history section doesn't mention Prairie Park.

http://www.dekalbparkdistrict.com/district/history

 

[Texas Mist]

links to this morning's presser

part 1

http://ssm.daily-chronicle.com/dail...26Keller1/1026-keller-news-conference-part-i/

part 2

http://ssm.daily-chronicle.com/dail...6Keller2/1026-keller-news-conference-part-ii/

 

[Woe.be.gone]

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101026/news/710279862/

I don't think this has been posted. Much of the same information.

 

[eyes4crime]

Dekalb County Coroner
DENNIS MILLER
150 North Main Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 895-7206
(815) 895-1626 FAX
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
IC&MEA Treasurer

IMO Don't know who Dennis Miller is, but I hope DeKalb County brought in an MD Medical Examiner for this case. Hope - hope - hope! moo mho

 

[tserpsa]

I don't understand how DNA can be degraded by burning in a bon fire. I was under the impression that you can not really burn a body in a fire unless the heat reaches 1500 °F. So even though her body may burned beyond recognition, they should still be able to identify it. Remember the pregnant marine that was burned in the fire pit by her "boyfriend". They were even able to identify the baby.

 

[truthsleuth]

Here is a satellite view of Northern Illinois University, I38, and Prairie Park. I needed to get it all straight in my head.

The many homes/buildings surrounding Prairie Park make it difficult for me to believe that no one smelled the burning of remains in the park.

B represents the area (Jones Station?? I'll go double check and change the name if I have it wrong) where Toni was last seen. It was an easy road from there to Prairie Park.

 

[trigger]

Trying to catch up. IDK if this was posted or not but I went on NIU website and saw this posted about a peeping tom that occurred on 9/8/10:
Summary: On Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at approximately 10:14 p.m., an officer responded to Lincoln Hall for a report of a peeping tom. Complainant stated that she awoke from her sleep and saw an unidentified male peeping in her window. He ran away when he saw her looking at him. Due to no leads and no suspects, this case is Administratively Closed.

Summary: On October 2, 2010, at approximately 01:19 a.m., an officer took a report regarding a suspicious male in the Neptune North computer lab. The Complainant advised that she felt alarmed and disturbed by the individual's behavior while he was in the computer lab. She observed him with his hands in his pants acting suspiciously. This case is Pending Investigation. A warrant was later obtained for the offender. On 10/08/2010, the offender was placed under arrest and was transported to the NIU Police Department. He was booked and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.

Summary: On 10/13/10, at approximately 8:42 p.m., a subject at Grant North reported that someone was stalking her. This case is Pending Investigation.

http://www.finfacil.niu.edu/publicsafetydept/WebBlotterReports/20101013_Offense.pdf

And on spotoncrime there were several rapes in v/o W Lincoln Hwy dating back on 2008.

 

[SuziQ]

FWIW, I don't think the perp is from the city of Chicago. There are plenty of wooded area's and college campus's between Chicago and Dekalb. I think the 'rumor' about the homeless camp or someone who is more familiar with the 'rural' area's of north central IL is likely... maybe even the WI, IA, MO rural area's....

Plus, whoever did this had to have some experience with bon fires or fires.
How many people would have the knowledge to know how hot and for how long to burn a body until it is just bones? How many cases of burnt bodies have we had at WS and how many of them were reduced to just bones? I can't think of a single other case where the body was burnt to just bones. the perp is someone who has a lot of experience with fires... imo.

JMO

Warning Graphic!!!

There have been a couple of cases, but they took days to accomplish and the bodies were dismembered into small pieces before and during the process. Outside of a crematorium, it's really hard to create the temperature needed for the length of time needed. Joseph Duncan was able to accomplish this because he had privacy and time. And then there was the case of the junkyard owner. He used a fire in a barrel for days, and all that was left of his victim were some teeth.

Doesn't sound like the area in this case offered the seclusion needed to destroy to the point of not being able to tell human remains from animal.