Authorities have identified the human remains found last week in Northeast Park as those of Daniel J. Cernovich.
Cernovich, 47, had been declared missing in November of 2022.
Last Thursday, an autopsy was conducted on the skeletal remains. A preliminary report determined the near-complete skeletonized remains were those of an unidentified adult.
A news release from the Kewanee Police Department Monday said Henry County Coroner Melissa Watkins has now confirmed that the skeletal remains have been positively identified as Daniel J. Cernovich, 47. He was reported missing on Nov. 18, 2022. Next of kin have been notified.
Preliminary autopsy findings indicate there was no evidence of tool markings or intentional dismemberment, and no gross antemortem blunt force or penetrating trauma. A forensic anthropology examination is pending.
In November of 2022 Daniel Cernovich was 43 years old. Just a few months prior, in June of 2022, he had been released from the Dixon Correctional Facility after serving just under a year for a charge of aggravated battery/public place.
But on Nov. 18, 2022, a female friend of Cernovich’s came to the Kewanee police station to report him as missing.
According to the missing persons complaint she filed, Cernovich was last in the woman’s company in the early morning of Nov. 16 at Misty’s Bar. The woman told police she had given Daniel a ride to the location he had been staying, which she said was a garage belonging to a resident on West Fifth Street.
According to the woman, Cernovich wanted to go to Wood’zs Bar on East Eighth Street, but she and Cernovich got into an argument and he demanded to be let out of the car. At approximately 2 a.m., she pulled over at Railroad Avenue and East Street and Daniel, dressed in a black hoodie and jeans, got out of the car. That’s the last contact she had with him.
After the complaint was filed, the police attempted to find Cernovich but came up empty. Officers placed a call to Cernovich’s cell phone number, but it was disconnected. They also visited the residence of Daniel’s father, and were advised that he had not seen or heard from Daniel in about four days when he had taken his son some food.
One officer also went to Misty’s Bar. where the bartender informed him that he hadn’t been there that day. The bartender at Wood’zs Bar told an officer that Daniel hadn’t been in the bar for a long time.
After the initial investigation, Cernovich was entered into LEADS as a missing person. Police continued to follow up and on Dec. 8, they contacted the original complainant who reported that while she hadn’t seen Daniel, she read on Facebook that someone claimed he had reportedly broken into someone’s basement and was living there.
On March 6, 2023, police said, a man cleaning up his property north of Northeast Park found clothing, a wallet and a phone, all belonging to Cernovich, among some trees. According to police, no one has reported seeing Cernovich since he was first reported missing in November of 22.
“This investigation remains ongoing.” the news release said. Anyone who has information that may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Kewanee Police Department at (309) 853-1911 and ask for the Investigations Division.
