DANVILLE, IL (Chambana Today) – Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden has confirmed with Chambana Today that the body found in the Vermilion River on Friday, July 19, just after noon is that of 12-year-old Christopher D. London. London was reported missing by two friends during the storms on Monday night, July 15.
Published Friday, July 19, 2024: Danville Police Department (DPD) reported on its Facebook page that a body was found in the Vermilion River.
DPD reports that the body was found on Friday, July 19, 2024, around 12:20 p.m. about a quarter mile downstream from where DPD responded to a report of a missing 12-year-old who went swimming on July 15, 2024, at 8 p.m. Law enforcement personnel from DPD, Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO), and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) were involved in the search, along with community members. IDNR and VCSO’s Underwater Search and Rescue Teams played a crucial role in the recovery.
DPD Chief of Police Christopher Yates stated, “Members of both Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office’s Search and Rescue teams worked together on a very difficult task that was both mentally and physically exhausting due to the sensitive circumstances. I appreciate their dedication, skills, and efforts to make this recovery. There are risks in what they do but they worked through it to help bring some closure to a tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family, friends and our community.”
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The Vermilion County Coroner has informed the next of kin, and an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow for forensic identification.