JOLIET, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Police in Joliet said the search for a man missing for more than a week has ended. The discovery of his body comes days after his mother's public plea for help finding her son.
The body of Robert Long, 37 was found at approximately 10:47 a.m. Friday by the Joliet Fire Department in the Des Plaines River on the south side of the McDonough Street bridge on the east side of the river, according to police.
Joliet police and the fire department joined the family of Long in a search of the area surrounding the 300 block of North Bluff Street and the adjacent Des Plaines River Friday morning.
Long's family reported him missing on April 13. He was last seen in the 300 block of North Bluff Street on April 11. Long's mother, Jewel Robinson said she was worried not long after her son dissappeared.
"For him to be missing for eight days and not come home and change his clothes, I knew something was wrong then."
Interviews with family and friends of Long were conducted as part of the investigation with the goal of learning new information regarding his whereabouts.
"Detective Stephen Boe remained in close contact with the family of Robert Long, who also remained relentless in their search for their loved one," the Joliet Police Department said in a statement.
Long's body has been identified and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Will County Coroner’s Office. Long's family has been notified of his death.
The coroner's office will conduct an exam to determine the cause of death. Police said there are no signs of foul play, but the case remains an active investigation at this time.
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