Remains Possibly Belonging To Missing NIU Student Found In Park

By Anna Deem in News on Oct 24, 2010 5:45PM

Items and human remains possibly belonging to missing Northern Illinois University student, Antinette "Toni" Keller, were found in Prairie Park, south of Illinois 38, in DeKalb County. DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen told the Chicago Sun-Times that although the remains of not been positively identified, police are now classifying Keller's disappearance as a death investigation. He also stated that her family was notified on Saturday.

"We're holding each other up," Keller's cousin, Mary Tarling, said to the Sun-Times about the discovery of the remains. "The comments from the public and the media have been very helpful, and we're grateful." A section of Prairie Park remains closed off as officers continue their investigation, police said. "Investigators are actively pursuing leads in the case and are seeking information about any suspicious activity or persons in Prairie Park on or about the time of Keller's disappearance," a press release stated this week.

Keller, 18, was last seen on October 14 when she told friends she was going for a walk near West Lincoln Highway next to the Junction Center retail complex, near the NIU campus. Before attending NIU, Keller lived in Plainfield and was a graduate of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. If you have any information related to the case, please contact DeKalb police at (815) 748-8407, the county's tip line at (815) 753-8477, or Crime Stoppers at (815) 895-3272.