Victim in Crash Positively Identified as Missing Arlington Heights Senior

The body discovered by West Chicago Police on the afternoon of September 19, 2013 has been positively identified as that of 84 year old Eugene Jonsson of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Mr. Jonsson had been reported missing from his residence on August 22, 2013. Mr. Jonsson was identified through dental records by the DuPage County Coroner’s office. The exact cause of death will be determined pending the results of additional laboratory tests. At this time however, no foul play is suspected. The investigation remains open until the final cause of death is made.

On Thursday, September 19, 2013 at 4:49 p.m., a West Chicago Police officer was flagged down by a landscaper working in the area of Illinois Route 59 and Hawthorne Lane. The landscaper told the officer he discovered a car off the roadway that had been in a crash. Responding officers located a dark gray Buick sedan approximately 50 feet off the roadway in a deep ravine. A partially decomposed body was found next to the vehicle.

Initial investigation suggests the driver of the Buick drove off the roadway from northbound Route 59 north of Hawthorne Lane. The car struck several bushes, underbrush and trees before coming to rest against a tree.

The vehicle was registered to Eugene Jonsson of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Mr. Jonsson had been reported missing to Arlington Heights Police on August 22, 2013.

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Forensic Investigation Unit and the DuPage County Coroner assisted in the investigation of the scene.

For further information, please contact Commander Eric Shipman at (630) 293-2222 or via email at eshipman@westchicago.org.