Second woman in Antioch ‘suspicious death’ identified as missing man’s wife
The second victim in an Antioch “suspicious death” investigation has been identified as the wife of the missing man authorities want to question in the case, officials said Friday.
The cause of death for Peggy Henderson, 61, remains under investigation, Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Orlando Portillo said. On Thursday, Portillo identified Dorothy Varner, 82, as the other victim found in the apartment on the 1200 block of Main Street on Monday. He said her cause of death also was under investigation.
Henderson and Dorothy Varner were living together in the apartment, Portillo confirmed Friday.
George Filenko, chief of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said Henderson was married to Billy Varner, 54, who police have been searching for since the bodies were discovered. Dorothy Varner is Billy Varner’s mother, Filenko said.
Filenko would not explain investigators’ interest in Billy Varner, except to say he may be the last person to see the two women alive.
The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force is leading the investigation, in cooperation with the Antioch Police Department.
A $500,000 arrest warrant for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle remains active for Billy Varner. Police describe him as a white male who was last seen driving the 2002 tan Chevrolet extended conversion van with the registration N943872. The van has damage to the rear passenger’s-side taillight area, officials have said.
Police warn that Varner should not be approached. If anyone sees him, or has information regarding his whereabouts, they are urged to call 911 or the Antioch Police Department at (847) 395-8585.