Elwood, IL – The Will County Coroner’s Office has identified a Peotone man found deceased next to a vehicle in an Elwood railyard on Thursday night, marking a grim discovery that has since launched a detailed investigation. The victim, identified as 72-year-old Dennis W. Broadbent, was pronounced dead at the scene in the vicinity of Mississippi Rd and Elwood International Port Rd, according to Coroner Laurie H. Summer.
According to official reports, the Elwood Police and the Will Grundy Major Crimes Task Force are spearheading the investigation into the incident. Broadbent was discovered by emergency responders following a call to the BNSF rail yard about a subject lying on the ground near a silver sedan. The dispatch led them to a gravel access road, where Broadbent was found with a fatal laceration to the throat.
An autopsy was conducted on Friday, April 5, 2024, but the final cause and manner of death are pending further investigation, including police and toxicological reports. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement urging anyone with information to come forward and contact Elwood Commander Marc Reid at 815-693-5705 or Task Force Commander Dirk Obermayer at 815-641-5043.
