Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

NOT SURE IF THERE IS A THREAD FOR TONI KELLER... if so please delete TIA JSM  ::MonkeyAngel::

http://bolingbrooksun.suntimes.com/news/2061230-418/keller-park-police-missing-niu.html

Keller case

Keller, who goes by Toni, is a white female, 5-foot-6 and 130 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, a university alert said. She lives in Neptune North residence hall on the NIU campus.

She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a gray jacket and scarf. She is believed to be carrying an art portfolio and professional camera.

The 2010 graduate of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville is majoring in art at NIU. She has a tattoo of a sunflower on her upper right chest and her nose is pierced.

There is no link between the Olsen and Keller cases besides the coincidence of the location, said DeKalb police Lt. Gary Spangler.

Prairie Park is somewhat secluded despite frequent use by area residents, Spangler said. A bike path with a number of side paths snakes through the park, but the branch trails are somewhat remote.

“People should stay off those (side paths),” Spangler said, adding that they are not well traveled.

The park isn’t a hotbed of crime, he said. Often people will set up makeshift tents in the park and camp there illegally. Police and the park district dismantle the shelters.

While he could not recall recent abductions or assaults in the park, he didn’t rule out the possibility of foul play in Keller’s case.

“Until this case (is closed), we can’t say something didn’t happen in the park,” Spangler said.

Spangler referred questions about the Keller investigation to NIU police, but said the DeKalb Police Department is becoming more involved in the case in part because the park, where Keller’s scent was found by search dogs, is located off-campus.

‘Another family’

Susan Olsen, Brad’s mother, said she began searching for Keller as soon as she heard the college freshman was missing.

“This whole situation just so deeply saddens me that another family has to go through this nightmare of not knowing where their loved one is,” Olsen said Wednesday.

She has been hitting back roads and hiking down ravines, conducting her own search for signs of Keller in areas outside the primary search location.

Police combed Prairie Park for her son, she said, but found no evidence.

“(The park) is a big wide area,” she said. “For one person to go in there alone, you know, and then someone else can come along … nobody would ever really know.”

Olsen will represent the LostNMissing organization at a poster event on the NIU campus Sunday.

She urged searchers to travel in groups, take a cell phone with them and dress for the weather and the terrain they would be walking.

More than anything, it’s important to keep looking, she said.

“Go out and walk your fence rows. Most of the crops are picked here so the fields are pretty open. Go out and walk those creek areas. Go out and look in that abandoned building or property … corn cribs, whatever,” she said. “Just go out and take a look. It only takes minutes to do that and that’s one more area that’s cleared.”

Searching for Keller

NIU students and community members took to the streets Wednesday, handing out fliers about Keller.

NIU police Lt. Curtis Young said the areas of the park that were searched over the weekend and Monday were chosen in part because of the work of search and rescue dogs.

Dogs from Midwest K9 Emergency Response Team tracked Keller’s scent in the park, and police used their findings and witness statements to pinpoint the areas Keller would most likely have been.

Young would not say how far Keller’s scent was tracked or whether they have been able to find her cell phone. He would not confirm a report that Keller’s dorm key was found in the park.

“I can’t really say what we have done and what we have not at this point,” Young said. “Like any investigation, you want to make sure you do it thoroughly and make sure the integrity of the case is maintained.”

While the police were not actively searching Wednesday, Young did not rule out the possibility of future operations.

“You never want to say never to anything,” Young said. “Everything is evidence driven. If evidence points in a certain direction, we may have to revisit something or we may have to just discard some information. We look at any information that comes our way.”

Edit to add "remains found" to subject line.  MB

This is the video from the Oct. 23, 2010, news conference about Antinette "Toni" Keller where police say they have reclassified the search as a death investigation.


http://ssm.daily-chronicle.com/dailychronicle/video/20101023Keller/october-23-keller-news-conference/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Human remains located. No positive ID yet.

Police: No ID yet on remains found near NIU

Associated Press | Posted: Monday, October 25, 2010 12:15 am

DEKALB, Ill. -- DeKalb police are still working to identify human remains found in a park where a missing Northern Illinois University student was thought to be going.

But police say they recovered items consistent with property belonging to NIU student Antinette "Toni" Keller, who disappeared Oct. 14 after saying she was going to walk toward the park. And they say they've reclassified their search for the 18-year-old Plainfield woman as a death investigation.

Police said Sunday that any further information will be released through the NIU website.

Meanwhile, NIU officials locked the doors to all dormitories, increased police patrols and extended the hours for campus buses.

The remains were found in Prairie Park, just south of Illinois Route 38.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/article_79eef06e-dfcc-11df-80cb-00127992bc8b.html

(http://today.niu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/keller_web.jpg)
Antinette J. Keller
http://today.niu.edu/2010/10/16/student-reported-missing/

President Peters issues statement on Toni Keller
10.23.10
This evening the DeKalb County Major Case Squad investigating the disappearance of NIU freshman Antinette “Toni” Keller, announced that investigators have now reclassified the investigation as a “death investigation.”

Upon learning of this change, Northern Illinois University president John Peters expressed 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 countless community volunteers who have been working tirelessly over the last week to get the word out about Toni’s disappearance. Please keep the Keller family in your prayers during this very difficult time.”

“The university is united behind meeting the needs of each and every one of our students as they cope with this news,” Peters added. The university has established an information hotline at 815-753-4NIU (4648). Calls will be answered tonight from 9 p.m. until midnight tonight and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 24, 2010. Parents and students who have questions are encouraged to contact the university’s information hotline.

NIU students will have access to counselors tonight in the Neptune Central Smart Classroom (by the Fireside Lounge) from 9 p.m. until midnight. Tomorrow, students can meet with counselors in the Counseling and Student Development Center in the Campus Life Building from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Counseling and Student Development Center can be reached at (815) 753-1206.

http://today.niu.edu/2010/10/23/president-peters-issues-statement-on-toni-keller-2/

If it isn't Toni, then it is someone else's loved one...so sad...

Thanks Nut

Nut, thank you so very much.
and JSM, you are the BEST.
Nut, can you bring my posts from JSM's Begging to Be Banned over w/ the links I posted?
or do you want me to repost here?
I have family members at NIU and am very concerned.

Sadness, anxiety at NIU after remains found

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) - There's sadness and anxiety at Northern Illinois University after human remains were found in a park where a missing student was thought to be headed.

Friends are speaking about 18-year-old art major Antinette "Toni" Keller as they wait for word on the identity of those remains.

Fellow student Marissa Gill describes Keller as bright and quick to laugh.

Gill tells DeKalb's Daily Chronicle she reported the freshman missing Oct. 15 after Keller hadn't been seen since Oct. 14.

Authorities reclassified their search as a death investigation over the weekend. But they made no announcement Monday regarding the remains.

NIU's increased campus security in the wake of Keller's disappearance. That includes making security escorts available 24 hours a day.

http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13383344

NIU student: Everyone's on edge  (with video)

October 25, 2010 (DEKALB, Ill.) (WLS) -- As detectives work to identify human remains found in the park where art student Antinette 'Toni' Keller disappeared last week, NIU steps up security on campus.


Keller, 18, of Plainfield, was last seen on October 14 when she told friends she was going to nearby Prairie Park to sketch and take photos. Police now say they found human remains in the park earlier on in the investigation than they publicly admitted. Those remains have yet to be identified. However, Keller's case was reclassified into a death investigation over the weekend.

As that investigation continues, Northern Illinois University stepped up security on campus- locking down dorms and restricting access to students only at certain buildings.

"Everyone's kind of on edge. Just sad, too. Just a bad at this. I wish things would stop happening. The shooting and then this. It's continuous," said Keith Gortowski, NIU freshman, referring to a 2008 Valentine's Day shooting that killed six people and wounded a dozen others.

Students are holding vigils at Neptune North Residence Hall where Keller lived.

"I (have) seen her in the hallway but I didn't see her that much. But I pray for her family and I hope the best for her family and I wish everybody just stay safe," said Sharron Feagins, who lives in Keller's dorm.

Police established a hotline --(815) 753-4NIU/ (815) 753-4648 -- in the case, and they are asking anyone who may have seen anything around the time of her disappearance to call.

Keller graduated from Neuqua Valley High School in Will County, Ill.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7744183

(http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2010/10/25/antinettekeller_370x278.jpg)

Antinette "Toni" Keller Update: Body of Missing NIU Student Believed Found


http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20020575-504083.html

Prayers for your family at NIU and prayers for Toni as well.  ::MonkeyAngel::

Community Gathering in Honor of Toni Keller scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in HSC
Northern Illinois University will hold a Community Gathering in Honor of Toni Keller at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center. Participants are invited to begin assembling at 5:30 p.m. Live video of the event will be streamed at today.niu.edu.

http://today.niu.edu/2010/10/25/community-gathering-in-honor-of-toni-keller-scheduled-for-6-p-m-tuesday-oct-26-in-hsc/

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/10/24/niu-community-awaiting-confirmation/

CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov reports the police chief is also confirming the discovery wasn’t made on Saturday, when it was announced, but “early on in the investigation.”

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Antinette%20Toni%20Keller%20%20-IL-/

Amanda's PhotoBucket for Toni

http://www.momlogic.com/2010/10/search_continues_for_missing_niu_student.php

Toni's mom was in the hospital being treated for anxiety related to her daughter's disappearance.  article dated Oct. 21.
Makes me wonder if, indeed, LE found remains earlier than reported.

Tol

Tolerance, is NIU in a rural area or is it in a big city?

http://www.city-data.com/city/DeKalb-Illinois.html

there are about 47K people in DeKalb, currently.
Of course, population fluctuates w/ class schedules at NIU.

The area around DeKalb is more rural w/ many family farms.

updated 6:22 PM Central

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/10/25/niu-students-on-edge-after-body-found/

Jonathan Kite is NIU’s resident hall president and lived on Keller’s floor. He says they want answers.

“It’s very difficult being in a situation where you don’t know,” said Kite.

Dorm security campus-wide has been tightened, and Keller’s friends are supporting each other, assuming the worst.

“People are just sad,” said Kite. “We lost a friend. It’s a tragic occurrence.”

But why is it taking police so long to let the DeKalb community know if a killer is on the loose? Chief Feithen told CBS 2 there are investigative reasons for the slow-to-come information. But those who live there say the lack of information puts them on edge.

Thank you Tolerance, was just talking to my fiancee and he went to NIU and he was giving me the scoop on the town. Such a very sad story.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

No link yet, but I just heard on WBBM that there will be a press conference on Toni tomorrow.
More when I can find documentation and time...

  ::MonkeyAngel:: Thanks Tolerance, please let me know if you hear more on the press conference

Here we go.....11 am

Authorities set to announce new details on NIU student's murder
 
Oct 25, 2010
Sun-Times Media
(DEKALB) Authorities in northwestern DeKalb will provide more information about the disappearance of Northern Illinois University student Antinette “Toni” Keller.

Keller went missing Oct. 14 after telling friends she was going for a walk near West Lincoln Highway by the Junction Center retail complex near the Northern Illinois University campus, according to an NIU release.

On Saturday, DeKalb police announced Saturday that the DeKalb County Major Case Squad recovered the human remains and items belonging to Keller in Prairie Park south of Illinois Route 38.

Authorities have not positively identified the body as of Monday night, when police announced it will hold a joint press conference with the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s office at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Keller’s death was reclassified as a homicide Saturday night, police said
http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=1998494&spid=

Thank you, NUT.

yes,,thanks for the article Nut..

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video#global

They found remains the day after she went missing.
The remains were so badly burned that they could not even tell if they were human remains.
That is why they held off disclosing the fact that they were found.
Still not positivly id'd as Toni, but her things were there..........................
More in video above.

warning:  RUMOR

I have family members and friends  at NIU.
When the students found out that the news of the remains being found was delayed many decided it was because Toni committed suicide.
Now that the case has been labeled a homicide there is much fear and regret among many students.
Students that held to the rumor of suicide are scrambling to remove FB postings.

So so so sad.

Repeat:  The above is hearsay and rumor.

now that I think of it, I wonder if posting the above is against TOS?
If so, please delete, Mods, and consider me warned.
I should have thought of this before posting the rumors.
Tol

No, you are ok. You specifically said it was rumor so I don't have a problem with that. 

I'm pretty sure it is okay to move this now.......  ::MonkeyNoNo:: any objections?

Missing NIU Student Was Killed; Body Burned

(DeKalb) -- The investigation into the disappearance of NIU student Aninette "Toni" Keller has officially been reclassified  a homicide case.

Police describe the remains found in Prairie Park on October 16th as burned beyond recognition, nine days after Keller told friends she was going to the park to sketch. 

Police say it took a forensics team until October 23rd to determine the remains were human or animal.

The remains are believed to be those of Antinette Keller due to circumstantial evidence found at the scene.

Police are advising the DeKalb community to stay calm, but the city remains on high alert as the search for the killer continues.

http://mystateline.com/fulltext-news?nxd_id=206126

 Thanks Nut for the update.... my question, why is it taking so long to identify the body. I understand it is burned beyond recognition, but does it usually take this long if they use dental records?

Nut, ( I always feel badly when I call you that..........)
Thank you for the concern you have for Toni.
I so appreciate your updates.
Tol

Lol Tol, everone calls me that.   joesamas...there is a lot they aren't saying. I am going to wait to move it.

duh
duh
duh

now I get it.................you mean 'move it' to a forum appropriate for a missing person found dead.

I was so confused. 
I am way too new to this process.
I feel better now.  I thought one of my posts needed to be 'moved'.

Lord, love a duck.

Quack

Here is the lates report I can find............


BY Dan Rozek
Sun-Times Media
Last Modified: Oct 26, 2010 04:46PM

A body found in a DeKalb park was so badly burned that investigators are unable to determine if it is that of a Northern Illinois University student who went missing nearly two weeks ago, authorities said Tuesday.

Despite that uncertainty, DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen said the probe into the disappearance of 18-year-old Antinette “Toni’’ Keller has become a “homicide investigation’’ — largely because of items found near the remains.

“The remains were found in close proximity to items found that are consistent with personal items Toni owned,’’ Feithen said.

Officials reached out to the public for help in the investigation of what happened to the Plainfield teen, who vanished on Oct. 14 after telling friends she planned to go to a park south of NIU’s campus.

In a macabre twist to the intensive search, Feithen said the charred remains found by police on Oct. 16 in Prairie Park were too badly damaged for an autopsy to conclude if they are those of Keller.

Authorities now are consulting forensic experts to help them with the identification.

“Forensic experts have identified the remains as human. Whether these remains are Toni’s or not, could take some time’’ to determine, Feithen said.

Police, in fact, didn’t initially announce the discovery of the remains on Oct. 16 because it wasn’t clear if they were human or animal, he said.

Investigators waited a week — until this past Saturday — to disclose they had discovered the remains. Feithen said police held off saying anything until initial findings concluded the remains were human.

That delay, though, angered some of Keller’s friends, who spent much of that week handing out flyers and searching on their own for the missing teen. Police should have disclosed sooner that they had found remains in the park, even if they weren’t sure of their origin, they said.

“A bunch of us do feel like we were duped. We were puppets being used for their own advantage,’’ junior Jasmine Roberts said of police withholding the information.

Feithen wouldn’t speculate on what may have happened to the outgoing freshman art student.

“We are looking at all possibilities,’’ said Feithen, adding that police had “no indication that this is anything other than an isolated incident.’’

Keller’s family has said they believe she is dead.

On Tuesday, classmates drew the same conclusion.

“Our friend isn’t coming back,’’ said Robinson, 21, who lived in the Neptune North dorm near Keller’s room.

She described Keller as a “ray of sunshine’’ who would want her friends to grieve but then get on with their lives.

“Toni would have wanted us to go on,’’ said Robinson, of Rockford.

Another friend said “it just seems impossible to think anything positive right now,’’ said Andrew Buchanan, 18, a freshman who also lives in Neptune North.

Police said they have made no arrests and had no “persons of interest’’ in custody.

But Feithen said a police task force with more than 40 investigators is working around the clock to try to solve the mystery.

“We’re working diligently to solve this crime so the community can feel safe,’’ he said.

NIU officials, meanwhile, have ordered increased campus police patrols and other security measures, including offering expanded bus service and 24-hour security escorts to students and faculty moving around the campus.

“We have tried to take prudent steps to address all these issues,’’ said NIU Vice President Kathy Buettner, who expressed optimism that police would find the killer.

“We have confidence in our law enforcement,’’ she said.

A school service to remember Keller was scheduled for Tuesday night at the Holmes Student Center on the NIU campus.

Some students who know the missing teen plan to attend, hoping it will help them better cope with their grief.

“It will help. It will let us feel this loss a little bit more,’’ said sophomore Matthew Schultz. “I think a lot of us are trying to block the feeling of what’s happening, and I think it will help us get over it a little bit more.’’The university has set up an information hotline, where operators will attempt to answer questions about the case. That number is 815-753-4648. Parents and students who have questions are encouraged to contact the university’s information hotline.

DeKalb County Major Case Squad investigators are requesting the public to report any suspicious activity or persons in Prairie Park in DeKalb on or about the time and date of Keller’s disappearance to 815-748-8407.

Keller is a graduate of Neuqua Valley High School.

http://bataviasun.suntimes.com/2118719-418/feithen-keller-police-remains-dekalb.html?print=true

Thanks Nut, seems strange it is taking so long to identify the body.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

So hard to imagine how the body was burned so badly.  All I ever hear is how impossible it is cremate a body outside of using a crematorium.
I am stunned.
A person would have had to tend a fire for a long time to ensure this level of destruction.
The whole situation is astounding.
I am praying for Toni's family and her university family.
Tol

This is so sad. Prayers to Toni's family and the university family as well. Rest In Peace Toni ::MonkeyAngel::
I was thinking the same thing Tolerance. I go back to the Marine that tried burning the young women and her baby awhile back. It wasn't burned as bad as what they are saying here. So why and how did they manage to burn this lovely young women so badly. Without setting the whole area on fire. Sick I know but what if they used some kind of Jet fuel, I understand that it burns hotter than gas. And if the area wasn't burnt then who ever did this took her some where and did this horrific crime and just dumped her there. 
Prayers  ::MonkeyAngel::

Video of the press conference from yesterday:

http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=206126

There is something really odd about this whole situation.
Why on earth would someone burn the body so efficiently and completely and then leave her belongings near the remains?
Wish a real criminal profiler would analyze this crime scene.
It is disturbing and horrifying on so many levels.
Tol

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20020900-504083.html
Antinette "Toni" Keller Update: Charred Remains Found Near NIU Could Take Time to ID
October 27, 2010


CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM/AP) A prominent forensic anthropologist told CBS affiliate WBBM that it could take some time for investigators to identify the severely burned body found in a park near the Northern Illinois University campus where missing student Antinette "Toni" Keller was last seen.

Earlier Tuesday, DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen stopped short of saying the remains that were found in a densely wooded area are those of Keller, a freshman art major at NIU. It apparently took authorities a week for them to confirm that the remains were even human because the body was burned beyond recognition, according to CBS affiliate WBBM.

The 18-year-old was reported missing Oct. 14 after she reportedly told friends she was going to work on an art project in popular Prairie Park in DeKalb, west of Chicago.

"I assume that in this case some sort of accelerant was used to burn the body," said forensic anthropologist Dr. Clyde Snow. "Ordinary fires will not cause that much destruction."

Dr. Snow has not been called in on the Keller case, but has identified victims of John Wayne Gacy, Dr. Joesef Mengele and the Oklahoma City bombers, reports WBBM.

According to Dr. Snow it may not have been possible for authorities to use dental records to make a positive ID.

"With very intense fires, the whole skull, including the dentition, could be so badly damaged or destroyed. The teeth, for example, with intense heat will crack," he said.

DNA may be the only route to identifying whether the body found is in fact Keller's and Dr. Snow says that takes time because it has to be compared to family members' DNA.

Feithen said the human remains were found "early on in the investigation," and not Saturday when it was announced, which has led to fear on the 25,000-student campus, where a gunman fatally shot five students inside a lecture hall before killing himself in 2008.

"The community has reached a level of hysteria that only comes when questions are not being answered, and no one can be blamed for being unnerved," the Northern Star, the student newspaper, said in a Tuesday editorial.

Feithen defended the weeklong delay in announcing the discovery of the remains. "As soon as we found out they were human remains, we notified everyone," Feithen said.

DeKalb County State's Attorney John Farrell said authorities had to take care not to undermine the investigation, which is now being handled as a homicide case.

Security has been increased at the university, including making security escorts available to students and staff 24 hours a day.

WBBM is reporting this morning that a respected forensic anthropologist from Indiana has been called in to help ID the remains positively.
So disturbing.
Such unimaginable heartache for her family.
Tol

Edit to add link:  http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/10/27/outside-forensic-expert-to-examine-niu-remains/

Here is the link for the above info:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/10/27/outside-forensic-expert-to-examine-niu-remains/

Haven't been following this case, myself. Been so busy with Somer, Haleigh, Casey, Kyron and Zehra's cases. But I was asked to do some artwork for this thread.

I thought she liked sunflowers, since I saw a picture of her that looked like she had a tattoo of sunflowers.

The following image is what I made for her.

VERY NICE Brandi......

October 29, 2010 10:03 AM
Antinette "Toni" Keller Update: Person of Interest Held in Louisiana

DEKALB, Ill. (CBS/WBBM) A person of interest is being held in Louisiana in connection with the murder of Northern Illinois University student Antinette "Toni" Keller.


PICTURES: Antinette Keller Missing


CBS affiliate WBBM reports the man has not been charged, and therefore, his name has not been released. But it has been revealed that he called police to notify them of a fire in the same DeKalb park where Keller's severely burned remains are believed to have been found.

Keller, 18, of Plainfield, disappeared on Oct. 14 after telling friends she was going for a walk in a wooded area south of the NIU campus.


What police believe to be her remains were discovered two days later. The charred remains, which have yet to be positively identified, were found near items believed to belong to Keller.


The discovery of the remains was not announced until Saturday.


Despite the lack of charges so far, Keller's relatives were relieved to learn of the arrest.


"On this one, my heart stopped a little bit," the Keller's family spokeswoman Mary Tarling told WBBM. "It's odd; there's no prep for something like this, and just to know that there's a human being that at some point we're going to look at that could do this. It's hard, it's hard."


Right now, the person of interest is being held in Louisiana, charged with obstruction of justice and driving a stolen vehicle.


He is awaiting extradition to DeKalb County, west of Chicago, where police intend to question him in connection with what police believe was the murder of Toni Keller. The extradition is "pending," DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen told the station.


On Tuesday, despite the uncertainty of the body's identity, Feithen said the probe into Keller's disappearance had become a "homicide investigation" largely because of the items found near the remains.


That night, hundreds of students - many holding candles - gathered in a darkened room at the campus to remember Keller and show their concern for the art student, her family and friends.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20021133-504083.html

I feel comfortable now with moving this and I just want to say..... I always thought it was someone who knew her (close or not) and when he is named, we will know. Perhaps I am wrong., but her body has been found...imo.

‘Person of interest’ held in Louisiana in NIU homicide
By Joe Hosey jhosey@stmedianetwork.com Oct 29, 2010 01:50PM

“person of interest” in custody in Louisiana is being questioned Thursday night in the case of Northern Illinois University art student Antinette “Toni” Keller, who went missing earlier this month.

Keller’s disappearance is being considered a homicide although remains found near the DeKalb campus have not yet been positively identified. Keller’s belongings were found near the charred remains.

The “person of interest” is being held out of state. His extradition to Illinois is “pending,” DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen said. The person is being extradited from Louisiana, a police source said.

The man has been charged with obstruction of justice and unlawful possession of a motor vehicle, although police did not say if those charges relate to the Keller case.

“We are not commenting any further tonight,” Feithen said. DeKalb Police have received about 210 leads in the case so far and are especially interested in any information on suspicious people and activities -- particularly fires -- in Prairie Park between midday Oct. 14 and the morning of Oct. 18, the police chief also said in a statement released Thursday.

Keller, 18, of Plainfield, vanished Oct. 14 after telling friends she planned to go to the park, located south of NIU’s campus. Remains were found in that park two days later, although police said they were so badly charred, identification has not yet been possible. The discovery of the remains was not announced until Saturday.

Authorities now are consulting forensic experts to help them with identification.

“We are relieved in some ways for sure. Because it did cross our mind that, while this is horrific for us, we certainly don’t want another family to lose a son or daughter,” said Mary Tarling, Keller’s cousin. Police notified Keller’s family Thursday afternoon that they were talking to a person of interest in the case, but didn’t say who they were questioning.

“We are very comforted that whoever did this, we hope that this individual isn’t going to be in the active population anymore,” Tarling said. “It might bring some comfort to Toni’s mom and dad, both.”

“I’m just very sad. It’s a terrible tragedy,” said Ellen Avery, the Kellers’ Plainfield neighbor. “We’re totally devastated. Nothing can bring her back.”

On Tuesday, despite the uncertainty of the body’s identity, Feithen said the probe into Keller’s disappearance had become a “homicide investigation” largely because of the items found near the remains.

That night, hundreds of students — many holding candles — gathered in a darkened room at the Holmes Student Center to remember Keller and show their concern for the art student, her family and friends.
http://bataviasun.suntimes.com/2152069-417/keller-police-person-case-interest.html

LE released/reopened the park yesterday and a local went out to take a bunch of pics, posted the link on WS and gave me permission to use them, so there are pics of bonfire sites there now. All the bonfires have been more or less cleaned out with the investigations,
But--- you get a great feel for the park, the layout, and where it happened.

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Antinette%20Toni%20Keller%20%20-IL-/


I am hoping we get a perp name today.

As always, thank you so much for your time and efforts for the missing and exploited.   ::MonkeyKiss::

TY MuffyBee :)

Thank you, everyone.
I have really missed being able to research and post.
My life should return to normal next Tues.
I am so grateful to see that Toni is not forgotten at SM.
Blessings.
Tol

William Paul Curl aka Billy Curl
507 Taylor St DeKalb IL

Unemployed. Has never been a student or employee at NIU.
Lives with his mom, took her car.
When police scheduled an interview for Monday, he took off.

I saved the presser, except for the questions, you couldn't hear the questions.

Man charged in case of missing NIU student
DeKalb man accused of murder, sexual assault and arson in death of Toni Keller
October 29, 2010|By Angie Leventis Lourgos, Tribune reporter

(http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2010-10/57191936.jpg) 

A 34-year-old DeKalb man has been charged with first-degree murder, criminal sexual assault and arson in the death of Northern Illinois University freshman Antinette "Toni" Keller, DeKalb County authorities said Friday.

William P. Curl, of the 500 block of East Taylor Street, allegedly "caused the death of the victim during the course of committing a criminal sexual assault and during the course of an arson," said State's Attorney John Farrell at a news conference Friday night.

Authorities would not get more specific than that about how Keller died.

Investigators knew of no prior relationship between the victim and the accused, DeKalb police Chief Bill Feithen said.

"This was a gruesome murder, and we believe it was a crime of opportunity," Feithen said. "There is no reason for us to believe there are other victims."

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-29/news/ct-met-1030-niu-keller-20101029_1_toni-keller-sexual-assault-niu-student

Thank you Brandi. She looks so young. It's so sad .

very sad that Toni's last vision on earth was of the creepy guy who murdered her...she must have been so scared .... ::MonkeyMad::  I hope this guy gets what he deserves...
  RIP Toni..

Still checking for updates.
Still praying for peace for Toni's family.

Thank you for the artwork, Brandi.

Tol

Psych exam sought for NIU murder suspect
The Associated Press Nov 5, 2010 02:43PM


A public defender has requested a psychiatric examination of the 34-year-old DeKalb man who’s accused of killing a Northern Illinois University freshman from Plainfield.

Public Defender Regina Harris asked for the examination Monday at William Curl appeared in DeKalb County Circuit Court in Sycamore via closed-circuit television from the county jail.

Harris did not specify why she is requesting the evaluation, made after talking with Curl by telephone.

Curl, charged with first-degree murder, is being held in lieu of $5 million bail in the killing of Antoinette “Toni” Keller.

Keller, 18, was last seen around noon Oct. 14 when friends said the art student was headed to a park and nature preserve near NIU. Burnt human remains were found in the park Oct. 16. Though they haven’t been positively identified, some of Keller’s possessions were found nearby, according to DeKalb police.
http://homersun.suntimes.com/news/2196754-418/curl-dekalb-keller-defender-examination.html

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2933164,niu-killing-dna-113010.article

It sounds to me like the suspect may be talking..............Plea Deal??????

Thought we knew this........

Remains found in Prairie Park identified as those of Toni Keller
By DANA HERRA - dherra@daily-chronicle.com
Created: Thursday, January 6, 2011 9:11 a.m. CST
SYCAMORE – Burned remains found in a DeKalb park have been positively identified as those of missing Northern Illinois University student Antinette "Toni" Keller.

DeKalb County First Assistant State's Attorney Bill Engerman said in court Thursday morning that forensic analysts were able to use DNA to identify the remains, found in Prairie Park two days after Keller was last seen. The 18-year-old NIU freshman from Plainfield told friends she was headed to the park on the afternoon of Oct. 14.

Two days later, the remains were found near items Keller was believed to have been carrying. The remains were burned so badly, it took about a week for forensic experts to determine whether they were human. Since that time, they have been undergoing DNA analysis for positive identification.

The announcement was made during a routine court appearance for William "Billy" Curl, 34, of DeKalb. Curl has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder in Keller's death, as well as one count each of sexual assault, arson, obstructing justice and unlawful possession of a converted motor vehicle. Two of the murder charges make Curl potentially eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Curl has not yet entered a plea on the charges. His attorney, DeKalb County Public Defender Regina Harris, has said she is awaiting the results of a psychological evaluation before moving to arraignment.

During the Thursday morning hearing at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore, Engerman turned over evidence – including the lab report of the DNA tests – in the case to Harris.

Curl is being held in the DeKalb County Jail on $5,065,000 bond; he would need to post $506,500 to be released.

He is next due in court Feb. 17.

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/01/06/remains-found-in-prairie-park-identified-as-those-of-toni-keller/a3twa47/

Case archive album

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Antinette%20Toni%20Keller%20%20-IL-/

DNA test results still pending in Keller case

By NICOLE WESKERNA - nweskerna@shawmedia.com
Created: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 9:57 a.m. CDT

Attorneys are still waiting for the results of DNA testing done in the case of the DeKalb man accused of the October 2010 slaying of Northern Illinois University student Antinette “Toni” Keller.

During a hearing Wednesday at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore, DeKalb County State's Attorney Clay Campbell said his office is awaiting the results of DNA testing. They are also continuing to review documents and evidence in the case.

snipped
William "Bill" Curl was charged Oct. 29, and since then he has been held in the DeKalb County Jail on more than $5 million bond.

He was indicted in January by a grand jury on five counts of first-degree murder, one count of concealing a homicidal death, one count of arson and one count of criminal sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

snipped
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/09/28/dna-test-results-still-pending-in-keller-case/ab4h3vw/