EAST ST. LOUIS – A 15-year-old was taken into custody in connection with a homicide investigation after a body was found in the roadway late Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in East St. Louis, according to Illinois State Police.
At about 10:02 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, the East St. Louis Police Department responded to the area of 76th Street and State Street after a report of a body in the roadway, state police said. Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Public Safety Enforcement Group special agents arrived at the scene, quickly identified a juvenile suspect and later located the youth at a residence and took him into custody.
State police said there is no threat to the public.
Authorities said video footage of the suspect dressed in a clown costume has been circulating, and Illinois State Police are working to collect all relevant video.
Anyone with information or video surveillance of the suspect is encouraged to contact Illinois State Police at 618-806-7611.
The charge is not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
