Tanya Shannon Update: Ill. Mom Who Disappeared After Crash Found Dead
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM/AP) The body of Tanya Shannon was found Monday in a northern Illinois field about three-quarters of a mile from where she and her husband crashed into a light pole while driving during a snow storm in the early morning hours of Dec. 5.
The 40-year-old northern Illinois mother was last seen leaving a friend's holiday party in a red dress. Her footprints and slipper found near the car were the only clues investigators had.
Dale Shannon was found dead behind the wheel. His blood-alcohol content was found to be 0.266, more than three times the state's legal driving limit of 0.08. An autopsy found he died of spinal injuries.
Those who knew the Shannons said they hoped Monday's discovery might offer the family, especially the children, some closure.
"I'm glad to know that the kids now will have that relief to know what happened," said Chris Kesler, a coworker of Tanya Shannon. "It's hard, but at least we now know where she is and that she's in a better place."
According to CBS affiliate WBBM, searchers had spent days last month combing through the flat, snowy terrain on horseback, on foot and in helicopters, probing snow banks with poles and sweeping through soybean fields with metal detectors. The search resumed Monday because conditions had improved.
The clothing on the body found Monday matched what Shannon was last reported to be wearing and her purse was found nearby, said LaSalle County Sheriff Tom Templeton. The body was first spotted at the LaSalle County field by a WBBM news helicopter.
Templeton said searchers had the Shannons' four children in mind as they continued their mission in brutal weather conditions.
An autopsy was scheduled for later in the week.