Remains found in Pecatonica River identified as men who disappeared in 1976

PECATONICA, Ill. (WTVO) — The Winnebago County Coroner has identified remains found inside a car submerged in the Pecatonica River as Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley, two businessmen who have been missing since 1976.

According to the coroner, over 100 skeletal remains were found in the river and in the vehicle. The remains were transported to St. Louis, Missouri, where a Forensic Anthropologist examined them. They were later sent to the Illinois State Police forensic lab for DNA testing.

“This bring us one step closer to providing closure to the families of Clarence Owens and Everett Hawley who have waited many years for answers that have been affected by this tragic case. This is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our detectives and forensic experts. It’s a reminder that no case is ever truly closed no matter how much time has passed,” Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said in a statement.

Divers were called to the scene in Pecatonica in March after fishermen had found an object on sonar that appeared to be a car beneath the surface.

The car was determined to be a gold 1966 Chevrolet Impala, matching a vehicle Owens and Hawley were last seen in.

According to the International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons, the two men were business partners and were last seen between 2:40 p.m. and 3 p.m. at a farm auction. Earlier that day, they had attended a political rally for gubernatorial candidate James Thompson at the American Legion in Pecatonica, stopped off at Rocky’s Cafe, and visited Owen’s son, who lived nearby.

The pair failed to keep a scheduled appointment in German Valley and were reported missing by their families the next day.

Their disappearance has puzzled investigators for decades.

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