Found Deceased IL- Tyler Graf, 31, Downs, 11 April 2020

[mlhenn]

Police Continue Search For Missing Man From Downs
Search continues for missing Downs man

•last seen wearing blue Dickies work pants, a light blue long-sleeve shirt and work boots.
•last seen around 5am Saturday
•last seen in a wooded area near his home

“He and a friend were on a trail that goes through Downs. He left his house to go to another friend’s house. There were two of them together. Tyler apparently got lost in the woods at one point, got off the trail somehow and they got split up.”


The sheriff said the search began on Saturday with as many as 50 to 75 volunteers from the McLean County Emergency Management Agency, Tazewell County EMA Search and Rescue and several local fire departments.

Sandage asks that anyone who has information about Graf's whereabouts to call the sheriff's office at (309) 888-5030.

 

[mlhenn]

Authorities say Tyler Graf of Downs has been missing since Saturday

They say the Hudson Dive Team and other search and rescue teams have looked through multiple bodies of water. So far, they have not found any new evidence.

 

[TatianaBarbie]

Sadly, the Village of Downs PD on FB does not have a post abbout Tyler being missing yet. Tyler's FB page:

Tyler Graf Last public post was in Aug 2019


Tyler's mother ("PG"), brother, a cousin, and friends have been posting on FB about Tyler being missing, and giving some added info--search FB for "Tyler Graf missing," and "Tyler Graf, in Downs, IL."

 

[mlhenn]

Search continues for missing Downs man

The family immediately started a search. “We found his cell phone and his flashlight, but nothing else,” she said.

That’s not good, IMO.

 

[Knox]

Tyler's facebook page.
Tyler Graf

Hoping for good news!

 

[GraceG]

It's been down in the upper 20's in Illinois the last couple of nights and there is no mention of him having a coat. I hope he found shelter.

 

[LauranUK]

The weather since he has gone missing has been really bad. Cold temperatures, severe thunderstorms, snow.

 

[ttcRider]

any word from his friend??

 

[Wowno17]

Search continues for missing Downs man

The family immediately started a search. “We found his cell phone and his flashlight, but nothing else,” she said.

BBM

So they found the two things he would probably need the most?! He wouldn't willingly just drop them surely?

I think ask the friend for more details.

Bizarre.

MOO

 

[Cubby]

We're in a mandatory stay home order. What essential work were these guys doing out at 5 am?

SMH. I hope he is ok.

 

[mlhenn]

We're in a mandatory stay home order. What essential work were these guys doing out at 5 am?

SMH. I hope he is ok.

Search continues for missing Downs man
This may give a little insight; it stood out when I read it.
“The community support has been wonderful,” she said. “It’s amazing how many people have shown up and called. They have offered support and offered the use of ATVs to go through some of these wooded areas. It’s overwhelming.”

None seem concerned about the coronavirus threat when searching for a lost friend.

“Social distancing has not been practiced very well around here, but we just want to find him,” she said.

 

[mlhenn]

Family of missing Downs man continues their search

Graf's mother, Pat Graf, says he was near Kickapoo Park in Downs where him and a friend were walking on a trail. His mother says some how the two became separated in the timber. She added they believe something must have happened to him because his disappearance does not make sense.

 

[Cubby]

I guess my point was if they had been in compliance with the stay at home order he'd be safe at home, or at least not missing.

I'm not really understanding why people are so nonchalant about Covid-19. Especially now that we know it can be spread by people who are asymptomatic. I hope no one searching ends up contracting the virus.

 

[oviedo]

Family of missing Downs man continues their search

Graf's mother, Pat Graf, says he was near Kickapoo Park in Downs where him and a friend were walking on a trail. His mother says some how the two became separated in the timber. She added they believe something must have happened to him because his disappearance does not make sense.

Hmmm friends became separated ? We shall see

 

[mlhenn]

I guess my point was if they had been in compliance with the stay at home order he'd be safe at home, or at least not missing.

I'm not really understanding why people are so nonchalant about Covid-19. Especially now that we know it can be spread by people who are asymptomatic. I hope no one searching ends up contracting the virus.

Agreed!

 

[Cubby]

Hmmm friends became separated ? We shall see

We had the same thought. My two theories are 1) he was despondent and he was a danger to himself, or 2) He is a victim of foul play.

The information given to the media by his mom doesn't make sense, but I think that's the info she has been given.

It's still dark out at 5am. Why would someone be walking in the dark on a trail in a closed state park?

Who found his cell phone and flash light?

Kickapoo State Park hours without considering Covid-19 are 7 am to 8 pm. It's too cold to camp, and I highly doubt the campgrounds are open during the pandemic. So what exactly were they doing there hours before they opened?

Is the friend cooperating with police?

 

[Cubby]

He went from one friends house, to another friends house........ He was on a trail nears his home......

They must be talking about the trail being near the friends home and not Tyler's home because it is a 67 mile distance between Downs, IL and Kickapoo State Park.

 

[humblegroundxx]

I guess my point was if they had been in compliance with the stay at home order he'd be safe at home, or at least not missing.

I'm not really understanding why people are so nonchalant about Covid-19. Especially now that we know it can be spread by people who are asymptomatic. I hope no one searching ends up contracting the virus.

Curious - does your stay home order not include the ability to be out "hiking" or anything for activity? I'm not trying to be rude here, I just know across different states (and maybe even counties) it varies for what is allowed right now and what is not. I know locally, we are allowed and encouraged to be out on trails / walks / etc as long as we are social distancing and maintaining a good judgement. Regardless, it's a sad but true point - just stay home and this may never have happened.

 

[Cubby]

Curious - does your stay home order not include the ability to be out "hiking" or anything for activity? I'm not trying to be rude here, I just know across different states (and maybe even counties) it varies for what is allowed right now and what is not. I know locally, we are allowed and encouraged to be out on trails / walks / etc as long as we are social distancing and maintaining a good judgement. Regardless, it's a sad but true point - just stay home and this may never have happened.

Here in Illinois it's a state wide stay at home order which was enacted by the governor of Illinois. I'm not near Downs, IL. But here in NE IL our parks and trails are closed. Gates at entrances remain down or barricades have been placed at entrances to parking lots.

We can and are encouraged to take walks, get excersize, but that is in our own neighborhood.

I just searched and all state parks are closed indefinitely as of March 15, 2020.


Current Closures of DNR Sites and Areas
All IDNR Sites Are Closed Until Further Notice

Understanding the need to act quickly and decisively in the face of a global pandemic, Illinois was the first state to fully close state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites; the closure took effect March 15.

Closures

 

[Cubby]

Additionally, there are two Kickapoo parks. Kickapoo Creek Park and Kickapoo State Park. They are about 100 miles apart and both are in Central Illinois. IDK which park Tyler was at when he disappeared.