Missing Illinois Bartender Found With Gunshot Wound to Head -- and Police Think She Was Targeted
A 24-year-old Illinois bartender who had been missing since Tuesday was found dead Thursday morning with a single gunshot wound to the head — and authorities believe she was targeted, PEOPLE confirms.
A statement from the Will County Sheriff’s Office confirms that the body of Kaitlyn Kearns, of Mokena, was found inside her 1996 Jeep Cherokee “in a rural area of Kankakee County” following an overnight search.
“Kaitlyn was discovered deceased at the scene,” the statement reads.
A preliminary autopsy reveals the single bullet likely killed her, but the medical examiner will not make that final determination before analyzing the pending results of toxicology and other lab tests, according to the statement.
Kearns was last seen on Nov. 13 at around 1:30 a.m. — the end of her shift at Woody’s Bar in Joliet.
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“Sheriff’s detectives continue to actively investigate her death and will provide more information as it becomes available,” reads the statement, which further indicates Kearns was likely targeted and that the killing was not random.
The statement confirms that a SWAT team from the Will County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Outlaws motorcycle clubhouse in Joliet.
PEOPLE was unable to reach any of Kearns’ relatives by phone.
It is unclear if anyone has been detained or identified as a person of interest in the case.
It is asked that anyone with any information on Kearns’ death call (815) 727-8574 or leave an anonymous tip with Crimestoppers of Will County.
