October 7: Family and friends of Jelani Day, along with hundreds of members of the Illinois State University community, gathered at Redbird Arena to honor his memory. Day, 25, of Danville, was a first-year graduate student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. He was reported missing August 25, and his body was recovered in early September from the Illinois River near Peru.

September 23: The University mourns the loss of graduate student Jelani Day. President Terri Goss Kinzy shared a message to campus.

September 20: The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) issued a statement that they are still actively investigating the case. The statement noted investigators are:

  • Collecting and analyzing digital evidence
  • Collecting and analyzing physical evidence
  • Locating and interviewing witnesses or potential witnesses
  • Searching for leads or other information that can help with the investigation.

BPD asks that anyone with information about Jelani Day to contact BPD Detective Paul Jones at 309-434-2548 or at Pjones@cityblm.org. Please see the BPD Facebook page for more information.

man in front and in store
Bloomington Police shared a video of Jelani Day taken from a surveillance camera.

September 5: The University continues efforts to raise awareness in the disappearance of Jelani Day. The Bloomington Police Department has provided further information. The public is asked to refrain from speculation, as the investigation is ongoing. Please continue to provide information to Bloomington Police at (309) 820-8888. Please see the BPD Facebook page for more information.

From August 31: The Bloomington Police Department released updated information on August 31 regarding Jelani Day’s last known whereabouts, and request for information from those who may have seen Jelani or his vehicle. The latest can be found on the BPD Facebook page and the latest BPD news release.

From August 27:
Illinois State University is asking people to help the Bloomington Police Department locate graduate student Jelani Day.

Day was reported as missing to the Bloomington Police Department by his family on August 25. Anyone with information should contact the Bloomington Police Department at (309) 820-8888 or contact BPD Detective Paul Jones at (309) 434-2548.  

Students seeking support are encouraged to contact Student Counseling Services at (309) 438-3655.  

Bloomington Police released Day’s missing person’s report. Anyone with information can contact the Bloomington Police Department at (309) 820-8888.