CUMBERLAND COUNTY, IL – Authorities have officially identified the human remains discovered in Lake Mattoon over the weekend as 38-year-old Dalewayne Turner of Plainfield, Illinois.
The Disturbing Discovery
The discovery was made on Sunday afternoon by a group of boaters spending time on the lake. Sammy Flynn of Effingham recalled the moment her father asked her to push what he initially thought were dead fish away from the boat using an oar.
Upon closer inspection, Flynn realized it was a human arm. The group immediately dialed 911 and used an oar to keep the remains from drifting away until emergency crews arrived on the scene.
Tattoos Crucial To Identification
The Illinois State Police (ISP) took over the case at the request of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators publicly released photos of two distinctive tattoos found on the arm to help generate leads:
- A skeleton holding a Green Bay Packers helmet.
- An unidentified stylized letter or number.
By Wednesday, ISP confirmed that these unique markings successfully helped them identify the remains as Turner. Family members noted the irony of the tattoo, sharing that Turner was actually a devoted Chicago Bears fan who loved football.
Investigation Moves To Plainfield
While the cause of death has not yet been released, Illinois State Police confirmed they have already executed investigative activity at a home in Plainfield, IL. Officials have not stated exactly how Turner ended up in the downstate lake or how that specific home connects to his death.
Turner’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses, remembering him as a kind-hearted man with a great sense of humor who loved helping others.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death remains active and ongoing.
