A man found dead this morning in the trunk of a burned-out rental car in Joliet Township had been shot 3 times in the head, Will County officials said.
“Autopsy preliminary indications reveal the male victim sustained 3 gunshot wounds to the head,”
according to a release from Coroner Patrick O’Neil.
The body was burned beyond recognition, and police initially were unable to determine if it was a man or a woman without dental records. Will County Sheriff Deputy Chief Rick Ackerson said. According to the sheriff’s office, dental records were used to identify the man as Troy Harris.
East Joliet Fire Department Chief Robert Scholtes said dispatchers received a call at 12:07 a.m., and one engine arrived six minutes later to the fire near Patterson Road west of Brandon Road. The car was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the fire “pretty quickly,” he said. The body was discovered in the trunk, authorities said.
O’Neil said that the body was pronounced deceased at 4:20 a.m. in the 1600 block of Patterson Road in Joliet Township.
The state fire marshal was called to the scene, and the investigation was turned over to Will County sheriff’s office.
“At this point, we have arrested Troy’s wife Leola Harris and charged her with 1st Degree Murder,”—Ackerson
There were no witnesses as of mid-morning. The area is near the Des Plaines River and the NRG energy plant.
Ms. Harris has pleaded not guilty and bond is set at $250,000.
