PERU – A State Representative and Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is asking the Peru Police Department to turn over Jelani Day’s case to the Illinois State Police. The letter by State Representative Kam Buckner formally requests that the Peru Police Department allow the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation to immediately initiate and lead an investigation into the death of Jelani Day. Buckner states that the current investigation has included, “unsettling discrepancies and inconsistencies including with the analysis of surveillance video and the securing of the crime scene among other issues.” Peru Police Chief Robert Pyszka said Thursday afternoon they had not officially received the letter.
Day was reported missing on August 24th, his car was found in Peru near the YMCA two days later and his remains were discovered on September 4th near the Illinois River. Day’s mother Carmen Bolden Day, has previously stated that she believes her son did not put himself in the river.
