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

[Cubby]

Not sure where in Chicago Cubby, but getting on I88 East at or around DeKalb and going to the city would only be a couple hours or less. About 45 minutes to N. Aurora and another 45min to downtown Chicago. The perp could even live in Chicago. moo

It's a lot more than 45 from N.Aurora to downtown these dsays. Not sure the last time you drove that route but it takes me 45 min to get from appx North Ave and 355 to Cermak and 17th street. It's been especially bad the last 5 months or so with road construction central -everywhere- even the side streets... and the regular old main streets... (took my step mom a half hour to go two miles... it's been that bad!)

I'd estimate the drive, if with traffic from DeKalb to Chicago to be about 2-2.5 hours if not a little longer.

There are threads for the lady walking her dog and an 82 yr old man missing from Chicago as well.... There is also a 3rd in the news today from Chicago. Personally, I did not see anything that lead me to believe any of the Chicago missing persons cases were related to Toni's case. but that is jmo.

 

[shefner]

So sad about this case. Like others, I would think a sexual assault occurred. Still, think how quickly this criminal had to act in order to assault, kill, and burn this girl before LE began to search the park. Then LE had to miss the smell of human remains burning and also the belongings nearby.
How quickly after she went missing did anyone search the park? Would also be curious to see if a profiler could help us pin down the type of perp who would be likely to burn a body....

 

[eyes4crime]

Why wouldn't the perp burn the belongings too? Strange.

Great question! Could it be that the perp left the identifying clothes around to let people know of his catch? If she was never detected, he would never be able to gloat...sort of thing...take credit for his catch...sick, I know. imo

 

[Texas Mist]

article after the presser


Keller's disappearance now a homicide investigation

12:30 p.m. UPDATE: DeKALB – Police have announced the death of Northern Illinois University freshman Antinette Keller is now being investigated as a homicide.

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen, speaking for the DeKalb County Major Case Squad, addressed the media at DeKalb city hall Tuesday morning. Feithen had announced at a similar briefing Saturday that human remains were found in Prairie Park, a wooded area Keller had told friends she planned to visit before her disappearance Oct. 14.

On Tuesday, Feithen said the remains have yet to be positively identified as Keller, but items consistent with things she was carrying or wearing when she was last seen have been found in the immediate vicinity.

The remains have been burned to the point an autopsy is not viable, Feithen said. Forensic experts continue to analyze the remains.

Feithen said the remains were found Oct. 16, the day after Keller was reported missing. Forensic experts examined the remains and identified them as human the following Saturday, Feithen said. The family was notified at that time, and the public was notified that night.

more here

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2010...earance-now-a-homicide-investigation/asjg6h2/

 

[Cubby]

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

 

[eyes4crime]

So sad about this case. Like others, I would think a sexual assault occurred. Still, think how quickly this criminal had to act in order to assault, kill, and burn this girl before LE began to search the park. Then LE had to miss the smell of human remains burning and also the belongings nearby.
How quickly after she went missing did anyone search the park? Would also be curious to see if a profiler could help us pin down the type of perp who would be likely to burn a body....

for some unfortunate reason, Toni was called a run-a-way to California...a piece of information her parents flatly denied and eventually LE did also.

As for not smelling a burning body, I can't imagine that NO person, student, LE, passer by would not have smelled such a horrible odor. The smell brings tears to the eyes.

 

[Woe.be.gone]

If there are bones, there is DNA right? Are they waiting for results? moo

ETA: I'm having trouble with this site, anyone else or is it the horrible weather here in Chicago? TIA

I'm having trouble with everything - I looked for news at 11AM and saw on WGN (I think) that the Presser had been cancelled. I turned to WCLTV to see if I could find out more and they were scrolling that a press conference would take place at NIU but this was already 11:15 or so. Then they reported that the case is now a homocide investigation. That's all the coverage I could find on TV.

Some of the news stations need to hire some of the people here at Websleuths who always seems to find a way to stay on top of a case. :twocents:

 

[Cubby]

So sad about this case. Like others, I would think a sexual assault occurred. Still, think how quickly this criminal had to act in order to assault, kill, and burn this girl before LE began to search the park. Then LE had to miss the smell of human remains burning and also the belongings nearby.
How quickly after she went missing did anyone search the park? Would also be curious to see if a profiler could help us pin down the type of perp who would be likely to burn a body....

good point shefner! IIRC NIU LE started searching the day following Toni's disappearance.

It would be interesting to know (God forgive me - I hate typing this) how hot and how long it would take to burn a body to reduce the body to only bones.

Oh Toni, I am soooo sorry this happened to you. You were young, bright, enthused with life and the prospects it held for your future. You were ready and able to give the world your perspective through your art work. I can only imagine the talent you could have shared with the world and it breaks my heart to think we won't get to see more.

I hope, somewhere, there is a website or something so we can see some of Toni's work. I took some art classes in HS. (Have two of my HS paintings hanging in my home) and I took an art history class at NIU. I was not that great at art... good enough for A's and B's in art in HS but not talented enough to carry it onto college.

I would so very much like to see Toni's work. If anyone finds a link with her work please post it. tia

 

[Soul125]

They stated an autopsy is not viable due to the burning, but can they still get DNA from bones for positive ID. I have never heard of a body being burned to bones before. Even in the Debolt case where the body was burned, they still made a dental ID.

 

[Cubby]

Great question! Could it be that the perp left the identifying clothes around to let people know of his catch? If she was never detected, he would never be able to gloat...sort of thing...take credit for his catch...sick, I know. imo

Another excellent point. I think I was in too much of a shock to even think of that. this perp has killed before imo..... who burns a body to bones but leaves the victims clothing and other personal items? Hmmm.....

 

[Cubby]

They stated an autopsy is not viable due to the burning, but can they still get DNA from bones for positive ID. I have never heard of a body being burned to bones before. Even in the Debolt case where the body was burned, they still made a dental ID.

All I can think about - if LE can not make id via dentals - is Ethan Stacy and that makes me just wanna cry for Toni, her family and friends.

(sorry to post that.. it is terrible to even think about)

 

[eyes4crime]

They stated an autopsy is not viable due to the burning, but can they still get DNA from bones for positive ID. I have never heard of a body being burned to bones before. Even in the Debolt case where the body was burned, they still made a dental ID.

I agree, if there are bones, there is DNA. I think a crematory gets hot enough to destroy bones....does it destroy teeth? omg how horrible. moo

 

[shefner]

Well I just read above that LE found these bones the day following Toni being reported as missing. So from what we know, she went missing around noon on the 14th, was reported missing on the 15th, and these bones were discovered in the park on the 16th. I don't see how this perp acted so quickly because we know how hot a fire must be to burn a body beyond recognition and also the smell that would ensue.

We need a profiler....

 

[shefner]

Another excellent point. I think I was in too much of a shock to even think of that. this perp has killed before imo..... who burns a body to bones but leaves the victims clothing and other personal items? Hmmm.....

I could be totally off base but I was thinking this burning was to destroy any evidence from a sexual assault. If the clothing was removed by Toni herself (by command), then there would be no need to destroy them. Still, I think there is more to the leaving of the clothing and other identifiable items.

Since the room key was lost on the trail, it makes you think that she was attacked right away. Maybe she screamed, grabbed her key by instinct and tried to run. This killer is awfully brazen...he committed this crime in broad daylight, where others might hear, see, or smell something.

Still, would love to see a profile of this type of perp....

 

[eyes4crime]

Well I just read above that LE found these bones the day following Toni being reported as missing. So from what we know, she went missing around noon on the 14th, was reported missing on the 15th, and these bones were discovered in the park on the 16th. I don't see how this perp acted so quickly because we know how hot a fire must be to burn a body beyond recognition and also the smell that would ensue.

We need a profiler....

Almost sounds like the perp is playing games with LE, the family, or NIU or everyone. Maybe someone with a grudge against LE. moo

Hopefully we hear from a profiler on the news tonight. moo

 

[italianangel2411]

I just can't believe this..in the middle of the day..murdered the way she was. I couldn't handle the news if I was the family, I just couldn't. I hope God helps this family through. I would hate knowing the public knew how my loved one was murdered like this imo

 

[Soul125]

I just can't believe this..in the middle of the day..murdered the way she was. I couldn't handle the news if I was the family, I just couldn't. I hope God helps this family through. I would hate knowing the public knew how my loved one was murdered like this imo

I don't think anybody could handle this type of news. This type of crime is committed by the lowest of lowest scumbags imo. The poor family can't even have a proper funeral. I just hope the person who did this left some evidence behind carelessly. For someone to get away with this is just unthinkable to me.

 

[watchful_eye]

I am so saddened by this disaster. I feel so horrible for Toni and her family/friends. Her poor parents.

The fact that she was burned...what a monster. I hope they catch the *&^%$# that did this. And FAST.

 

[Woe.be.gone]

Here is one place over on Caylee's threads where the topic of burning a body was covered. I'm linking to a single post but if anyone is interested there may be more info on the subject over there.

Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - Canadian forensic anthropologist Scott Fairgrieve joins Casey Anthony's defense

 

[traveler]

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.