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Black And Missing

Missing ISU student Jelani Day identified after body discovered in Illinois river

Jelani Day has been found and is deceased.

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Jelani Day's Body Found In Illinois River
Jelani Day

We are saddened to report Jelani Day has been found and is deceased.

Jelani Day’s Body Found

The LaSalle County Coroner has confirmed the male body found in the Illinois River on Sept. 4 is missing Illinois State University (ISU) graduate student Jelani Day.

The coroner said forensic dental identification and DNA testing and comparison helped confirm the identity of the body.

At this time, the cause of death is unknown, and an investigation is ongoing. Toxicology is still testing.

Jelani Day was last seen August 24th

Jelani Day graduation

Jelani Day, 25, was last seen Aug. 24. at the Illinois State University campus. His family in Danville and a faculty member reported him missing after he did not show up for class for several days.

Central Illinois Is Proud reports:
Day’s car was recovered in Peru, IL on Aug. 27 with no license plates in a wooded area south of the Illinois Valley YMCA and north of the intersection of 12th Street and Westclox Avenue.

On Sept. 4, 2021, an additional search was conducted in the LaSalle Peru area where a body was recovered floating near the south bank of the Illinois River about a quarter-mile east of the Illinois Rt. 251 Bridge. At that time, authorities could not confirm the identity of the body due to its condition.

A Facebook page run and moderated by the family sent out a statement Thursday.

“There are no words to clearly communicate our devastation. We learned this morning from the LaSalle County Coroner the deceased man found in Peru, IL on Saturday, Sept. 4 is Jelani. Our hearts are broken.”

Cause of Death

During a press conference, Bloomington Police Department Spokesperson John Fermon said they are still working to figure out some of the details regarding Day’s death.

“We haven’t said if there’s foul play or anything like that. People are on edge. It impacts everyone,” Fermon said.

Fermon also addressed concerns about the media attention Day received in comparison to missing YouTuber Gabby Petito.

“I’m happy this got out there… We’ll take the criticism. Part of our job isn’t to release all the details… Hopefully, this rolls over to other missing persons,” he said.


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Unheard Voices is an award-winning news magazine that started in 2004 as a local Black newsletter in the Asbury Park, Neptune, and Long Branch, NJ areas to now broaden into a recognized Black online media outlet. They are the recipient of the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and CV Magazine's Innovator Award for Best Social Justice Communications Company.

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Black And Missing

Marine from Massachusetts goes missing off coast in Puerto Rico

A family is holding out hope after U.S. Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru went missing on March 27 off the coast in Puerto Rico.

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Samuel Muturi Wanjiru missing
Natasha Castillo-Vargas and Corporal Samuel Muturi Wanjiru (Photo Source: GoFundMe)

A family is holding out hope after U.S. Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru went missing on March 27 off the coast in Puerto Rico.

Missing details for Marine Samuel Muturi Wanjiru

Corporal Samuel Wanjiru, 26, of Worcester, Mass., was swept away by ocean currents while being in the water at La Pared beach in Luquillo.

The Coast Guard launched helicopters and aircraft to look for Wanjiru, but those search efforts were unsuccessful. The active search was called off on April 1.

At the time of his disappearance, Wanjiru was vacationing with his partner of five years, Natasha Castillo-Vargas.

Castillo-Vargas, her father, and Wanjiru’s mother are still in Puerto Rico, returning to the beach daily where Wanjiru went missing, continuing to look for him.

GoFundMe

She has since started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with expenses and search efforts while they remain in Puerto Rico.

“Samuel’s mother and I are trying to get as much resources and help as we can because we will not give up hope in finding our Samuel. Please, anything anyone can help with would be most appreciated.”

In addition to donations, the family asks the public for prayers and love during this “devastating and heart aching time.”

“We are firm believers in God as Samuel is too and we have faith that he will be found. Thank you for your support!”


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Black And Missing

Baltimore police searching for kidnapped 4-year-old

4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers was reportedly kidnapped in front of his West Baltimore home.

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Unheard Voices Magazine
Kaimir Rodgers (Photo Source: Baltimore Police)

Update: The search for 4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers has been called off. Baltimore police say he was found safe and unharmed at a family member’s home in Baltimore County.

Detectives are still investigating it as a kidnapping.

Authorities in Baltimore are seeking the public’s help in finding 4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers.

4-year-old Kaimir Rodgers is missing

According to police, Kaimir was taken from his family’s home in the 1900 block of Ruxton Avenue in West Baltimore on Tuesday. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt.

Police shared a video of the child being carried away by a person wearing light gray sweatpants, a dark gray hoodie and pink sneakers.

The person is seen accompanied by two other people, according to police. One is dressed in all black and the other is seen wearing a light gray sweatshirt, dark gray pants and a black ski mask.

Information on his disappearance

If you have any information on Kaimir’s whereabouts and the identities of those who took him, call 911 or Baltimore detectives at 410-396-2477.


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Black And Missing

FBI offers $15K reward in search for missing 12-year-old girl

The FBI is seeking the public’s help in locating 12-year-old Lori Paige.

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Lori Paige
Lori Paige

The FBI is seeking the public’s help in locating 12-year-old Lori Paige.

Missing details

Lori went missing from Tallahassee, Floria on June 3, 2023.

Authorities is offering $15k on any information on Lori’s disappearance.

“The FBI will stop at nothing to protect kids, and we are fully committed to helping our partners at Tallahassee Police Department exhaust every investigative resource in the search for Lori Paige,” FBI Jacksonville Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis told WTXL news station.

“We encourage everyone to keep an eye out for this young lady, and help us bring her home.”

According to the FBI, Lori has ties to or may visit Tallahassee, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Thomasville, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee.

Authorities are taking the missing case seriously, statimh in a media advisory on Feb. 1 that TPD’s Special Victims Unit is continuing to “tirelessly explore every lead and resource to locate [Lori Paige].”

“The length of time that has passed and her young age only heightens our concerns for her well-being,” the statement said.

“Despite our persistent efforts, Lori remains out of contact with her family and friends. However, we remain committed to bringing her home safely.

About Lori Paige

The 12-year-old was a student at Griffin Middle School.

She was last seen on June 3, 2023 in the 1200 block of Continental Ct in Tallahassee.

She is described as a dark-skinned Black female with shoulder length locs, black hair, brown eyes and weighs about 120 pounds.

Police said that it is unknown what she was wearing when she was last seen, but she may have had a multicolored backpack.

Police are asking anyone with information that could lead to Lori’s recovery to contact TPD at 850-891-4200.


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