Missing Neuqua grad's family awaits news on NIU remains
The family of a missing Northern Illinois University student awaits word from authorities on the identification of human remains found Saturday night near the DeKalb campus.
“There's really nothing that can bring Toni back to us, but we're hoping to have answers at some point,” said Mary Tarling.
Tarling's cousin, Antinette “Toni” Keller of Plainfield, was reported missing on Oct. 15. Keller, 18, is a graduate of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. DeKalb police on Saturday said they found human remains and items that likely belong to Keller. An official identification has yet to be made, and police had no news to release on Sunday. The last time police spoke with Keller's family was on Saturday, Tarling said.
Police are now calling their probe on Keller's disappearance a death investigation. The remains were found at Prairie Park, a 150-acre wooded preserve, just south of Route 38 in DeKalb.
Keller, a freshman art major, was last seen around noon on Oct. 14, when she told friends she was going for a walk on south of NIU's campus through Prairie Park. She lived on campus.
Family members are coping as best they can, and they hope the public can help solve what happened to Keller.
“Please come forward and use the tip lines and give police everything they can to work with,” Tarling said.
NIU police have increased their campus presence in the wake of Keller's disappearance.
Anyone with information pertaining to the case could call DeKalb police at (815) 748-8407 or (815) 753-8477. They could also call Crime Stoppers at (815) 895-3272.