A 24-year-old Illinois man is facing a first-degree murder charge after a 20-year-old woman was fatally shot and her 2-year-old son died in a vehicle fire in Peoria County.
Jeremiah Duncan was taken into custody Friday, Sept. 25, after authorities spent several hours searching for him following the deaths of Heaven J. Wood and her son, KJ Duncan-Wood.
Prosecutors filed the first-degree murder charge against Duncan on Sept. 28 in connection with Wood’s death. As of the latest available reports, no separate murder charge had been filed against Duncan in connection with the toddler’s death.
Deputies Responded to Burning Vehicle
The investigation began shortly after 6 a.m. Friday when emergency crews were called to the 3500 block of Yorkshire following a report of a vehicle fire.
Responding deputies traced the vehicle to a nearby residence and conducted a welfare check. Inside the home, they found Wood suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
She was taken to OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The Peoria County Coroner’s Office later identified her as 20-year-old Heaven J. Wood.
Two other children were found unharmed inside the residence.
Firefighters extinguished the burning vehicle and discovered KJ Duncan-Wood, 2, inside. The preliminary autopsy determined that the boy died from severe smoke inhalation. Coroner Jamie Harwood said the child likely died only moments after the fire began.
Investigators determined that the vehicle had been driven away from the area of the shooting before crashing. Authorities have not publicly established whether the fire was deliberately set.
Suspect Found After Search
Investigators identified Duncan as a suspect and launched a search for him. Authorities warned the public not to approach him if he was spotted.
Around noon Friday, Peoria County sheriff’s deputies and Peoria police found Duncan near Molleck Drive and Oak Crest Drive.
Sheriff Chris Watkins said Duncan was carrying a knife when officers took him into custody. Duncan had also suffered serious burns and remained hospitalized at an undisclosed medical facility.
Sheriff’s officials described the deaths as the result of domestic violence.
The victims were later identified as Wood and her 2-year-old son, KJ. Sheriff Watkins also confirmed that Duncan was the child’s father.
Murder Case Moves Forward
Duncan’s medical condition has affected the timing of his court proceedings. His attorney appeared in court while Duncan remained hospitalized, and prosecutors filed a petition seeking to keep him in custody before trial. A detention hearing was delayed because of his injuries.
A judge tentatively scheduled Duncan’s next court appearance for Oct. 5.
The investigation into the deaths remains ongoing, including the circumstances surrounding the vehicle fire and the death of the toddler.
The case has left two people dead and brought renewed attention to the dangers of domestic violence. Peoria County officials have urged people experiencing domestic abuse or facing an unsafe situation with a partner to seek help from local support services.
