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The family of aspiring lawyer Jelani Day is seeking answers after an autopsy revealed more details about the state in which Day's body was found. According to an autopsy obtained by the Chicago-Sun Times, Day's eyeballs, spleen, brain and several other key organs were removed from his body. In addition, Day's jawbone was "sawed out" and multiple teeth were missing as well. A pathology report explains that Day's organs were "completely liquified."
The condition of Day's body adds several more questions to the circumstances regarding his disappearance and death. The Illinois State University graduate student was last seen on August 24 at retail store in Bloomington, Illinois. Nearly two days later, People reports that his car was found abandoned near a parking lot in Peru, Illinois. His clothes were found inside the vehicle, but there was no sign of Day. On September 23, police found Day's body floating through the Illinois River. Attorney Hallie M. Benzer, who represents Day's mother, said that the aspiring lawyer's body had suffered "innumerable fish and turtle bites and was maggot-infested" after spending time in the river.
“He was in such bad shape,” Bezner told the Chicago-Sun Times.
“It’s just a heartbreaking story, for sure.”
At this time, the Bloomington Police Department has not publicly identified any suspect in Day's death or reveal a potential motive. As a result, the family remains searching for answers.
"Our very first concern was finding Jelani, and now we need to find out #WhatHappenedToJelaniDay," a statement from the Day family reads.
"At this moment there are more questions than answers surrounding Jelani's disappearance and death, and that is where we will focus our energy. As of this moment, we do not know what happened to Jelani and we will not stop until we do."
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