Missing Joliet father found dead in Des Plaines River

JOLIET, Ill. — A missing father of seven in Joliet was found dead Friday morning in the Des Plaines River after he was missing for over a week.

Family and police were canvassing the area of the 300 block of West Bluff, near the Des Plaines River, all week looking for him. No one heard from Long since April 11 and he was reported missing on Saturday.

In a news conference Friday afternoon, police said Long’s body was found in the Des Plaines River near 300 West Bluff.

The 37-year-old was a father of seven who works at Kellogg and loves to dance.

His mother, Jewell Robinson, said he has three kids who are set to graduate eighth grade.

“He is not going to disappear like this. It has been eight days, it’s been eight days, and my heart is so heavy right now,” Robinson said before his body was found.

Manner of death will be determined Saturday morning. It remains an active investigation.

“We simply don’t know,” police said when asked how they believe Long ended up in the river.

Joliet police said detectives will continue to look at the entire case.

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