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

[Dipcheese]

I agree. I really wish we knew why LE felt there was not a concern about the general publics safety with this case. There is something that is just not sitting right with me about this, in that perhaps they knew he (or she) was no longer in the area and had fled to Louisianna prior to determining the remains found were human. Even if LE believed the NIU campus and surrounding community were not in harms way, whose to say what kind of (alleged) killer this POI may be? Whose to say he (or she) isn't responsible for unsolved crimes elsewhere and info from those crimes might not help solve this case?

Oh I guess I am just ansy for the POI's name.... it's not like he/she can sue LE for false arrest or libel as this person has not yet been officially named a suspect.

I hope we get a name soon!

I agree, there never seemed to be a real concern with the LE with regards to the public's concern of "a killer on the loose." It's as if they had eyes on that person or knew of the whereabouts from the get go. Both press conferences were more about protecting evidence to get a conviction than it was to warn the public or dig for information.

 

[Dipcheese]

Yes.

They are Antinette's. To much coincidence with the person articles found near by to not be her remains. No other missing persons in the area LE is looking for that I'm aware of either.

I think this person is someone known to Antinette. Possibly a male friend or acquaintance that was rejected by Antinette. Why do I think this? It was someone that cared enough to call in a tip having to do with fire about the case.

After giving a tip to LE about the fire in the park, LE might of asked this person to come in for questioning when it was discovered the remains were burnt, at which time the POI fled town. Most likely tracked through either cell phone or credit/debit card records or both to Louisiana.

He drove a friends car.

All JMO

It's amazing at how answering that first question leads you down through a different investigative path.

I agree with your opinions. At least all of them are well within reason and have been played out in crimes similar to this.

 

[watchful_eye]

Camera and sketchpad were found near the remains
The Daily Chronicle 11:45AM update has this new piece of info:

"Keller family spokeswoman Mary Tarling told The Associated Press that Keller's camera and sketchpad were found near the remains." http://bit.ly/dxrTeM


http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2010/...-case/aqc1e5b/

Extra thanks to Cubby !
Last edited by Vresia; Today at 01:32 PM. Reason: to fix link

:cry:

 

[cluciano63]

I agree that unless LE has messed up big-time, she did know her killer and that is why Le has not issued warnings about a random attacker on the loose.

We may know more in a day or so, if not sooner. I hope they will release the identity of the arrested party soon.

 

[Cubby]

Very general article about DNA and burnt/cremated remains. Interesting, but doesn't get into the nitty gritty science of it like we WS'rs generally like.


http://naperville.patch.com/article...remains-as-kellers-not-surprising-expert-says

from the link:

Once it's determined you're dealing with human remains, the next step is determining identity. Typically, while "the process can vary depending on the quality and quantity of DNA available," a certain amount of tissue usually remains that can undergo nuclear DNA testing in which it is compared to the genetic DNA of a family member, Grauer said.
In the case of a fire victim, that's not viable, she said. Scientists must use mitochondrial DNA, which can be obtained through bone, she said.

 

[Cubby]

Somewhere buried here at WS is a better explaination of the differences between using nuclear DNA and mitochondrial dna for identification purposes. I don't have the time to search for that info at the moment, but off the top of my head what I recall (and please don't quote me, I am going by memory and not a scientist) is nuclear DNA is limited to availability from a single cell and there for destructed more easily and mitochondrial dna is both within and outside the cell and there are thousands of mitochondrial dna per cell.

Maybe someone can offer a better explaination than I can...
(any NIU forensic science majors reading here? Do they offer forensic science at NIU? It's been about 25 yrs since I attended so I no longer know those things).

tia and hth with a very basic explaination.

 

[Texas Mist]

breaking news from a tweet I just got from the daily chronicle --

press briefing for 8 p.m. today re: Toni Keller investigation

ETA: Major Case Squad to hold the presser

ETA2:


DEKALB (WREX) - The DeKalb County Major Case Squad will hold a press conference at 8:00 p.m. to discuss a 'significant development' in the homicide investigation of Antinette "Toni" Keller.

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen, DeKalb County State's Attorney John Farrell, as well as representatives of the DeKalb County Major Case Squad will be on hand.

more here

http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13413513

 

[Joe Friday]

http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13413513

DeKalb police to announce 'significant development' in Keller case

The DeKalb County Major Case Squad will hold a press conference at 8:00 p.m. to discuss a 'significant development' in the homicide investigation of Antinette "Toni" Keller.

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen, DeKalb County State's Attorney John Farrell, as well as representatives of the DeKalb County Major Case Squad will be on hand.

(Snipped)

 

[Vresia]

Can anyone recommend links to sites that are likely to cover the briefing live ?

Thanks

 

[niuparent]

As both the parent of a student at N.I.U., and someone who works at a firm that does cause and origin fire investigations, this case has raised a lot of concerns.


Like many other posters, I can't help but concur that Toni Keller had some prior encounter(s) with her killer. That probably explains why it's been referenced as an isolated event. If the POI is a student (whether at NIU or attending another school) then I would think there should be ways of seeing when they last attended classes, and perhaps narrow down a timeframe of events.

On the local newsradio station, WBBM 780AM, they have been referring to the POI as "he" in broadcasts made this afternoon, and the following article also refers to a male:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/10/29/person-of-interest-held-in-louisiana/

I hope the press conference reveals more information, and they have enough information to charge the person, instead of just calling them a POI.

 

[twinkiesmom]

Somewhere buried here at WS is a better explaination of the differences between using nuclear DNA and mitochondrial dna for identification purposes. I don't have the time to search for that info at the moment, but off the top of my head what I recall (and please don't quote me, I am going by memory and not a scientist) is nuclear DNA is limited to availability from a single cell and there for destructed more easily and mitochondrial dna is both within and outside the cell and there are thousands of mitochondrial dna per cell.
.

I have a degree in microbiology....Mitochondria are organelles within each cell ....These are the mini powerhouses that fuel each cell. The nice thing about mitochondrial DNA is you can find it in hair and bone, and mitochondrial DNA is traced through the maternal lineage.

 

[niuparent]

In response to Cubby in post #47, I don't believe NIU offers a Forensic Science degree. They do offer a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science degree.

 

[eyes4crime]

Somewhere buried here at WS is a better explaination of the differences between using nuclear DNA and mitochondrial dna for identification purposes. I don't have the time to search for that info at the moment, but off the top of my head what I recall (and please don't quote me, I am going by memory and not a scientist) is nuclear DNA is limited to availability from a single cell and there for destructed more easily and mitochondrial dna is both within and outside the cell and there are thousands of mitochondrial dna per cell.

Maybe someone can offer a better explaination than I can...
(any NIU forensic science majors reading here? Do they offer forensic science at NIU? It's been about 25 yrs since I attended so I no longer know those things).

tia and hth with a very basic explaination.

gosh you're young Cubby! No, they don't offer forensic science at NIU but there is a law school. moo

 

[Snoopster]

So, does anyone have any idea where we can catch the presser online? I presume it is at 8:00 Central Time?

 

[eyes4crime]

I have a degree in microbiology....Mitochondria are organelles within each cell ....These are the mini powerhouses that fuel each cell. The nice thing about mitochondrial DNA is you can find it in hair and bone, and mitochondrial DNA is traced through the maternal lineage.

Thanks twinkiesmom - If you could, how is mitochondrial DNA different from nuclear DNA? Thanks in advance...tia

 

[Claudette]

Look who's in town:

'DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen confirms that the person of interest in the Antinette "Toni" Keller homicide investigation has been brought to the DeKalb County Jail in Sycamore."
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2010/10/28/person-of-interest-in-keller-case-now-at-county-jail/aqc1e5b/

 

[Claudette]

So, does anyone have any idea where we can catch the presser online? I presume it is at 8:00 Central Time?

Not sure where. Central time, yes.

Won't be able to watch, Blackhawks tonight

 

[Texas Mist]

So, does anyone have any idea where we can catch the presser online? I presume it is at 8:00 Central Time?

NIU streamed the last one

http://live.media.niu.edu/

but I haven't found confirmation yet that tonite's will be -- I hope it will since it seems LE gave a heads up hours ahead of time...I'll keep checking & will post if I find anything.

 

[Texas Mist]

found a good article on difficulties in ID'ing burned remains




Time Needed to Identify Remains as Keller's Not Surprising, Expert Says
In the case of a burn victim, the identification process can sometimes be painstaking, according to Loyola prof.


<snip>
Most people don't realize that even when a body is cremated using intense heat, teeth often survive the process as do bone fragments, Grauer said. A crematorium will crush those remains into a powder so they are not so recognizable as human to the family members who claim them, she said.

That may be what police are dealing with here, although that's strictly conjecture and Grauer would not speculate. Police have declined to provide any details as to the state of the remains they found.

"The stakes are so high," she said. "You can't risk saying they're not human and you can't risk saying they are. You have to be certain."

Once it's determined you're dealing with human remains, the next step is determining identity. Typically, while "the process can vary depending on the quality and quantity of DNA available," a certain amount of tissue usually remains that can undergo nuclear DNA testing in which it is compared to the genetic DNA of a family member, Grauer said.

In the case of a fire victim, that's not viable, she said. Scientists must use mitochondrial DNA, which can be obtained through bone, she said.

"This kind of (testing) is done extensively with soldiers (killed in battle)," she said.

And while the process may not necessarily be time-consuming, finding analysts with doctorates in DNA testing and genetics to do the work can be, Grauer said. In a murder case, finding someone with the expertise to do the testing, interpret the results and be able to testify in court about what they did is very important, she said.

And that's not to mention the time it might take to get a lab to process the results, she said.

"Just because the test doesn't take a lot of time doesn't mean a lab can drop everything and do it right away," Grauer said.

more here

http://plainfield.patch.com/article...remains-as-kellers-not-surprising-expert-says

 

[fhc]

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/2164015-417/keller-police-dekalb-remains-although.html

DeKalb authorities are expected to announce murder charges tonight in the slaying of Northern Illinois University art student Antinette &#8220;Toni&#8221; Keller, who went missing earlier this month.

Authorities have an 8 p.m. news conference scheduled in DeKalb to announce the charges, a source said.