Skeletal Remains Found in Illinois River ID’d as Missing Men from 1976

The Winnebago County Coroner’s Office was alerted to a grim discovery back on March 11, 2024, when skeletal remains were found in a submerged vehicle in the Pecatonica River.

The vehicle, dating back to 1976, was suspected to be linked to two long-missing individuals who hadn't been seen for almost 40 years.

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This breakthrough set off a series of recovery operations involving local fire department dive teams, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, and the Coroner’s Office.

Historic Discovery Leads to Long-Awaited Closure for Families

Over several days, recovery teams extracted over one hundred skeletal remains from both the river and the vehicle, according to a press release from the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.

These remains were meticulously reassociated at the Coroner’s Office, confirming that they belonged to two distinct individuals.

In late March, the remains were sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where a forensic anthropologist conducted a thorough examination, and by April the analysis concluded that the remains were of two adult males but no signs of trauma were detected, according to the report.

DNA Testing Confirms Identities

Following the forensic examination, the remains were returned to Winnebago County. For further verification, two long bones from each male were submitted to the Illinois State Police, Division of Forensic Services, for DNA testing.

Months of detailed analysis and profiling followed and the DNA results confirmed that the skeletal remains were indeed those of Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley, bringing long-sought answers to the families.

Sheriff Gary Caruana expressed his sentiment:

This brings us one step closer to providing closure to the families of Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley who have waited many years for answers. This case highlights the dedication of our detectives and forensic experts, and serves as a reminder that no case is ever truly closed, no matter how much time has passed.

The Winnebago County Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office extend their deepest condolences to the families as they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest, offering peace and comfort after decades of uncertainty.