Post by LadyBlue on Oct 29, 2010 18:40:44 GMT -5
Person Of Interest Held In Ill. Student's Death
The family of a freshman art student at Northern Illinois University expressed relief on Friday that a person of interest was being held in the investigation of her death — though details are scant about the identity or current location of the detainee.
"There's relief because we're concerned for the safely of everyone," said Mary Tarling, a cousin of Antinette "Toni" Keller, who went missing in mid-October. "It doesn't do anything for what we lost, but it would have been much worse if something also happened to someone else."
Police in DeKalb, a city 65 miles west of Chicago where the 25,000-student campus is located, still haven't positively identified remains found in a park near the school as belonging to Keller, though they reclassified her case as a homicide investigation.
The person of interest was being held in another state on charges of obstruction of justice and unlawful possession of a motor vehicle pending extradition to Illinois, police announced Thursday evening. They provided no further details on Friday.
The remains were burned beyond recognition, but Keller's parents have little doubt they belong to their 18-year-old daughter, said Tarling.
"There doesn't seem to be an alternative explanation," she said.
Among the indications the remains are Keller's is that her camera and sketch pad were found nearby, Tarling said, citing what police have told the family.
A talented watercolor painter and nature lover, Keller may have headed to the wooded park just south of the campus to take pictures or sketch drawings for an art project, Tarling said.
"She painted flowers and landscapes," Tarling said. "She loves camping and rock climbing."
The family hasn't been given any information about the person of interest, nor have they been able to think of anyone who might have been out to harm their daughter, Tarling said.
"We haven't any clue as to who it might be," she said.
Missing-person posters with a photo of a short-haired, smiling Keller were put up around campus after she was reported missing on Oct. 15, a day after she was last seen heading to the park. The remains were found Oct. 16, though police didn't announce the discovery for a week.
Security has been increased at NIU, including making security escorts available 24 hours a day. NIU spokesman Brad Hoey said Friday that demand for late-night ride service has soared 30 percent since police revealed the discovery of the remains.
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130843973
The family of a freshman art student at Northern Illinois University expressed relief on Friday that a person of interest was being held in the investigation of her death — though details are scant about the identity or current location of the detainee.
"There's relief because we're concerned for the safely of everyone," said Mary Tarling, a cousin of Antinette "Toni" Keller, who went missing in mid-October. "It doesn't do anything for what we lost, but it would have been much worse if something also happened to someone else."
Police in DeKalb, a city 65 miles west of Chicago where the 25,000-student campus is located, still haven't positively identified remains found in a park near the school as belonging to Keller, though they reclassified her case as a homicide investigation.
The person of interest was being held in another state on charges of obstruction of justice and unlawful possession of a motor vehicle pending extradition to Illinois, police announced Thursday evening. They provided no further details on Friday.
The remains were burned beyond recognition, but Keller's parents have little doubt they belong to their 18-year-old daughter, said Tarling.
"There doesn't seem to be an alternative explanation," she said.
Among the indications the remains are Keller's is that her camera and sketch pad were found nearby, Tarling said, citing what police have told the family.
A talented watercolor painter and nature lover, Keller may have headed to the wooded park just south of the campus to take pictures or sketch drawings for an art project, Tarling said.
"She painted flowers and landscapes," Tarling said. "She loves camping and rock climbing."
The family hasn't been given any information about the person of interest, nor have they been able to think of anyone who might have been out to harm their daughter, Tarling said.
"We haven't any clue as to who it might be," she said.
Missing-person posters with a photo of a short-haired, smiling Keller were put up around campus after she was reported missing on Oct. 15, a day after she was last seen heading to the park. The remains were found Oct. 16, though police didn't announce the discovery for a week.
Security has been increased at NIU, including making security escorts available 24 hours a day. NIU spokesman Brad Hoey said Friday that demand for late-night ride service has soared 30 percent since police revealed the discovery of the remains.
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130843973