Missing NIU student search reclassified as death investigation

Though, the body has not been positively identified as that of Keller and is still awaiting verification, “several items of interest” belonging to her were discovered near the remains.

At a press release, DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen disclosed that the remains found in the densely wooded area had been there for some time, perhaps a "short time after (Keller's) disappearance."

Feithen stated, "Investigators from the squad have recovered human remains and items consistent with property belonging to Keller in the Prairie Park south of Route 38 in DeKalb.”

He declined to furnish any details of the items recovered and did not provide any information about the condition of the remains.

Meanwhile, the police have notified Keller’s family that the investigation is now of death. The discovery has shocked and saddened the family.

Keller's cousin Mary Tarling said, "We're holding each other up. The comments from the public and the media have been very helpful, and we're grateful."

Though, the body has not been positively identified as that of Keller and is still awaiting verification, “several items of interest” belonging to her were discovered near the remains.

Investigation in progress
The police have cordoned an area of Prairie Park for the next couple of days while the officers continue the investigation.

They are actively following all possible leads and gathering information related to suspicious persons or activities that took place in the area at the time Keller went missing.

Search parties comprising air and diving teams have combed the grounds and swept through the streams and large retention ponds in Prairie Park's wooded area.

Feithen stated, "We continue to build on the information that we developed through the course of the investigation and the items of interest that we recovered. It is an ongoing process that has brought us to this point."

Security measures heightened on campus
Keller, 18, a resident of Plainfield and an art major at NIU has not been seen since Oct. 14, when she told her friends that she was heading towards the Prairie Park to find some inspiration for a project.

Her disappearance has shattered the entire NIU community. Security measures have been heightened on the campus and Dr. Brian Hemphill, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, is asking students to be vigilant as they move about the campus and the DeKalb community.

Meanwhile counselors are helping students cope up with the situation.

"Our counselors are actually going to the students, they're actually going to them and talking to them, they're talking to faculty, they're talking to university personnel," said NIU spokesman Brad Hoey. "This affects everybody."