Body in Rural Field Is That Of Woman Missing For a Month

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 3, 2011 10:10PM

A body discovered in a field in rural LaSalle County has been identified as that of Tanya Shannon. Shannon went missing a month ago when a vehicle driven by her husband Dale spun out and struck and hit a pole. Dale Shannon reportedly broke his back and died in the crash, but Tanya Shannon left the vehicle and went out into the elements. She left behind a footprint and a slipper, but her trail ended at the road, according to Chicago Breaking News.

Officials called off the search when the first heavy snows impeded progress. They resumed the search with the recent thaw, and a helicopter for WBBM Channel 2 discovered the body in a field in unincorporated Brookfield township, wearing a red dress that Tanya Shannon was last seen wearing.

An autopsy will determine Tanya Shannon's cause of death. Dale Shannon allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .266 at the time of the crash, nearly three times the legal limit, according to the LaSalle County coroner.