Mount Vernon, IL – A shocking case unfolded in rural Illinois as 51-year-old John W. Finney was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after authorities found his wife, 42-year-old Amy J. Finney, deceased in the trunk of his car. The incident has gripped local communities as law enforcement and investigators piece together the disturbing events leading up to the arrest.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call on Monday reporting a possible homicide at the Finney residence near North Illinois Highway 148. The caller also provided a description of the suspect’s vehicle, leading to a series of coordinated law enforcement actions that ultimately uncovered the tragic truth.
How Law Enforcement Discovered the Crime
At approximately 9:00 p.m., an officer from the Christopher Police Department spotted the suspected vehicle, a 2007 Ford Escape, near Illinois Highway 14 and 148. The officer followed the car while waiting for backup. Soon, deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, supported by personnel from DuQuoin Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, and Illinois State Police, executed a traffic stop at the 9000 block of Birch Road in rural DuQuoin, Illinois.
During a preliminary sweep of the vehicle, officers found the body of Amy Finney in the hatchback of the Ford Escape. This grim discovery confirmed suspicions of a homicide, prompting investigators to secure search warrants for both the vehicle and the Finney residence.
Details Suggest Domestic Dispute Turned Fatal
Investigators, with assistance from the Jefferson County State’s Attorney and the Perry County Coroner, believe John Finney shot his wife during a domestic dispute at their home. According to Court documents that the victim sustained a gunshot wound consistent with the preliminary findings.
“Preliminary evidence gathered strongly supports that Amy Finney died from a gunshot wound during a domestic dispute with John at their home,” said the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in an official release.
John Finney was promptly arrested and is currently held at the Jefferson County Jail pending a pretrial detention hearing. GPS data from his cellphone revealed that he spent several hours driving around the county on the same day.
Community Impact and Law Enforcement Response
The case has deeply affected the rural community near Mount Vernon, especially as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies exemplifies the commitment to resolving the case promptly and thoroughly.
- Incident reported around 8:03 p.m. via 911 call about a possible homicide
- Suspect vehicle identified as a 2007 Ford Escape
- Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated for the traffic stop and investigation
- Victim found deceased in the vehicle’s hatchback following a protective sweep
- Search warrants executed for both residence and vehicle
- Suspect held on first-degree murder charges, awaiting pretrial detention hearing
What do you think about this tragic case? Have you ever witnessed or known of similar crime stories in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
