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Antinette "Toni" Keller Update: Body of Missing NIU Student Believed Found

Antinette "Toni" Keller Update: Body of Missing NIU Student Believed Found
Antinette "Toni" Keller (Personal Photo)

DEKALB, Ill. (CBS/WBBM) Worried DeKalb residents are awaiting confirmation on whether a body police discovered in a park near the Northern Illinois University campus Saturday is missing freshman Antinette "Toni" Keller.

PICTURES: Antinette Keller Missing

Keller, 18, was reported missing Oct. 14 after she reportedly told friends she was going for a walk in popular Prairie Park in DeKalb, west of Chicago. The police chief told CBS affiliate WBBM that the human remains were found in a densely wooded area in the park and said the discovery was not made Saturday when it was announced, but "early on in the investigation."

Authorities indicated that they have recovered items consistent with property belonging to Keller and have reclassified the case as a death investigation, not a missing persons case, according to WBBM.

According to the Daily Chronicle newspaper, Keller's family expected her to come home to Plainfield for the weekend. When she didn't call to arrange for a ride, her family became concerned.

Ben Yamamoto, Keller's friend, went searching for his dorm-mate shortly after she disappeared 10 days ago, until police stopped him.

"They said it was too dangerous," he said.

The NIU campus was on lockdown Monday morning with campus access being restricted to students only. NIU officials also locked the doors to all dormitories, increased police patrol, extended the hours for campus buses, and have encouraged students to walk in pairs or groups.

NIU's Student Affairs Vice-President Brian Hemphill says officials are taking this very seriously, but sophomore Candice Patrick says that's not enough, reports WBBM. She wants to know if a killer is out there.

Further details of the investigation have not been released.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
October 20, 2010 - Antinette Keller Missing: Northern Ill. Univ. Student Said She Was Going to Take Pictures

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