Human remains found in a pickup truck in the Mississippi River three months ago have been identified as those of a man who was reported missing in 2019, Illinois officials said.
“The East Moline Police Department is investigating this incident as a homicide,” Chief Jeff Ramsey said in a writing. statement,
The remains were identified as those of Daniel Claes, a local man who was about 30 years old when his family said he was missing in 2019.
according to According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS), Claeys was last seen leaving a mobile home park in East Moline on October 5, 2017, in a stolen, late-model Ford pickup truck. Namas said Claeys was also known to visit Arizona and Florida.
The vehicle, “buried deep in mud,” was found in the Mississippi River near a boat ramp in East Moline in September, Ramsey said. DNA helped investigators determine the identity of the remains.
“The family has been notified and they now have some relief knowing that their family member has been located,” Ramsey said Thursday.
Authorities have not said how Claes died or what caused his death. Ramsey said investigators will continue to try to solve Claeys' disappearance and death.
“East Moline investigators have been working on this case since the discovery and will work tirelessly to find out for the family the circumstances surrounding Daniel Clay's disappearance and death,” Ramsey said.
If you have any information about Claeys' disappearance or death, the East Moline Police Department asks you to call 309-752-1555, or Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500.