MT. VERNON, IL — Human remains discovered near Mt. Vernon in March have been identified as those of an Indianapolis woman. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department says the remains found on March 21 belonged to 20-year-old Keriaye M. Winfrey of Indianapolis.

The cause of Winfrey’s death remains under investigation by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, which has enlisted the help of a forensic anthropologist. The sheriff’s office says the remains were found on a roadway less than a mile west of Interstates 57 and 64 and that they appeared to be significantly decomposed. According to the sheriff’s office, evidence located in a field and wooded area west of the intersection of Davidson Avenue and Veterans Memorial Drive provided a lead to the possible identity of the remains. DNA was secured, then forensically compared with DNA samples provided by a member of the deceased suspected family. After the partial human body was found on March 21st, a larger search of the area was conducted on March 29th and resulted in the recovery of additional evidence. A missing person post reports Winfrey was last seen around 3 p.m. January 9, 2022, in the area of the Family Life Church shelter in Mt. Vernon.

Anyone with information please contact Detective Captain Bobby Wallace at the Sheriff’s Office ((618)244-8004) or Crimestoppers at (618)242-TIPS.

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