April 24--A 19-year-old man found dead in the Des Plaines River late last week has been identified.
The body authorities pulled from the river Saturday, April 18, was identified as Lonnie R. Jones, of Joliet, according to the Will County coroner's office.
Jones was found in the river in the 700 block of Railroad Street in Joliet and pronounced dead there at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the coroner's office.
Jones was reported missing to police April 13, coroner's office spokesman Patrick O'Neil said in a statement. Officials were able to positively identify Jones from dental records Tuesday.
An autopsy conducted Sunday determined the preliminary cause of death to be drowning, and officials said the final cause of death will be decided once toxicology and police reports have been completed.
Police could not immediately be reached for comment early Friday.
