Jelani Day’s family pleads for public’s help in finding missing Illinois graduate student

Nearly a month has passed since Jelani Day, a 25‑year‑old graduate student and aspiring doctor, vanished in central Illinois. His family is urging the public to help find him as investigators continue searching for clues.

Day Was Last Seen on August 24

Day, a graduate student at Illinois State University, was last seen on Aug. 24. His family reported him missing the next day after repeated attempts to reach him. Faculty members also raised concerns when Day did not show up for class.

According to People reports, surveillance footage captured Day entering the Beyond/Hello store in Bloomington at 9:12 a.m. He wore a blue Detroit Lions hat, a black graphic T‑shirt, white shorts and black shoes.

Police Locate Day’s Vehicle

On Aug. 26, Peru Police responded to a report of a vehicle in a wooded area near the Illinois Valley YMCA. Officers found a white 2010 Chrysler 300 hidden among trees.

Inside the vehicle, police discovered the clothing Day wore on Aug. 24. K‑9 teams searched the area but found no sign of the missing student, who is also a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

“Upon a search of law enforcement computerized files, it was determined the vehicle was a vehicle of interest in a missing person case out of Bloomington, Illinois,” police wrote. “The vehicle was one belonging to Mr. Jelani J. Day, age 25 of Bloomington, Illinois.”

Family Pleads for Public’s Help

Day’s family continues to call for national attention and public assistance.

“This is my little brother,” Seve Day wrote on Twitter, sharing the missing persons report. “He’s been missing for 3 weeks as of today now. Please help me and my family find him… I love him so much #FindJelaniDay.”

Day’s mother, Carmen Bolden Day, told Newsy she feels authorities are not giving the case enough attention.

“I don’t feel like I’m getting the help that I need,” she said. “I’m imploring, pleading, and asking that the police still pay attention and look for my son.”

Carmen also expressed frustration over the disparity in media coverage between her son’s case and that of Gabby Petito.

“Jelani has been missing for 24 days… and it seems like the effort to find him has slacked down,” she said.

$25,000 Reward Offered

The Day family is offering a $25,000 reward for information. They have also asked the public to contact their private investigator with tips.

Carmen said her last conversation with her son was on Aug. 23. “He said, ‘Okay mama, I just wanted to hear your voice.’ And that was our last conversation.”

Fraternity Joins Search Efforts
Day’s fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., has mobilized members to help locate him.

The fraternity shared a public alert urging anyone with information to contact Bloomington dispatch at 309‑820‑8888 or Det. Paul Jones at 309‑434‑2548.

Help us bring Bro. Jelani Day (’18 NE) home safe. If you have any information or have seen Jelani please contact BFD Dispatch 309-820-8888 or contact Det. Paul Jones at 309-434-2548 or [email protected].
💜 #findjelaniday #bloomingtonillinois #jelaniday pic.twitter.com/LrF6DBuyBg

— Omega Psi Phi (@OfficialOPPF) August 30, 2021