DNA Will Identify Woman's Body In River

A barge crew discovered female human remains Wednesday afternoon in the Des Plaines River, prompting speculation that Stacy Peterson or Lisa Stebic may have been found.

A witness at the scene said the body was taken from the scene about 7:50 p.m. after police and Will County coroners had investigated the body. The body weighed no more than 30 pounds and appeared to have been mainly bones, according to the witness.

A source at the scene said the body was not found in the water but off onto a nearby shore.

Witnesses said it was around 2 p.m. that a barge crew discovered the remains — not an intact body — near the south shore after spending the past four days clearing logs and debris.

A source said the remains looked like that of a small female wearing underwear, but that DNA testing likely would be required for a positive ID.

State police have taken over the investigation and confirmed remains were found, but would not release any other information Wednesday evening.

Relatives of missing Bolingbrook mother Stacy Peterson said they've been contacted by state police, who told them a woman's body has been found in the river near Channahon, though the remains have not been identified.

"We don't know who it is," said Pam Bosco, a spokeswoman for Stacy Peterson's family. "We're just being patient right now. We're waiting."

She believes there won't be any definitive word Wednesday about the identity of the body.

And Bosco said relatives realize the remains could be those of another woman, possibly missing Plainfield resident Lisa Stebic or someone else.

Bosco said Stacy Peterson's family members just hope the remains can be identified so a family somewhere can learn the fate of a missing loved one.

"We just hope they can identify who it is," Bosco said.

The cleanup crew made their grisly find approximately three-quarters of a mile west of the Interstate 55 bridge, near the Big Basin Marina.

The shore area is only accessible by boat, so investigators spent time shuttling down the river from the boat launch at the marina on the river's north side.

State police and Braidwood canine units were called to the scene. Channahon and Illinois conservation police were also assisting. State police said two investigators were in charge of the scene. A lead investigator for state police rode out and returned around 4 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., Will County Coroner Patrick K. O'Neil rode out to examine the body.

Fifteen minutes later, the Channahon Fire Department brought a boat to the landing as news helicopters circled overhead.

"There are human remains, but that is all that is known right now," police said.

A forensic team was called in to search the area at 5 p.m. and police said they might need lighting to continue the investigation as the sun went down.