A coroner has confirmed that the human remains found in Pekin, Illinois, this summer belong to missing Robert Bee, Jr.
Tazwell County Coroner told James Baldi confirmed to local news station CentralIllinoisProud.com that DNA testing at the Illinois State Police Crime Lab positively identified Bee, 13, who went missing in November after running away from truancy officers who visited his home in Pekin.
Searchers found human remains near a residential property in July, about two miles from where Robert went missing. Baldi confirmed days later to CrimeOnline that dental records matched those belonging to the missing boy. The coroner had been waiting since then for DNA tests to confirm the ID.
A detective at the Pekin Police Department told CrimeOnline this week that investigators were also waiting on final DNA tests before they release any further information about the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have not yet released any information about the possible cause of death, and no arrests have been made at this time.
This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Further reading:
Missing Robert Bee, Jr. Exclusive Update: Mom won’t answer questions about missing teen
Feature photo: Police handout
