PEORIA, Ill. — Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a Peoria man whose body was discovered inside a freezer at an East Bluff residence Monday.
Authorities identified the victim as David L. King, 41, of Peoria.
According to police, officers responded to King’s home in the 500 block of East Seneca Place after receiving a request for a welfare check. When officers entered the residence, they found King inside a freezer with what investigators described as cuts on his body.
Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos said King’s body had been inside the freezer long enough that it had become frozen.
The suspects, Portia J. Stokes, 26, and Michael R. Jansen, 29, have both been charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death.
Officials said Stokes was inside the home when officers arrived and was taken into custody. During an interview with investigators, Jansen initially told police that he and Stokes killed King and placed his body in the freezer. Authorities said Jansen later changed his account and claimed Stokes was responsible for the killing.
The Peoria County Coroner’s Office identified King as the victim of a homicide investigation, stating that he suffered fatal injuries caused by an apparent violent act. Additional details are expected following the completion of an autopsy.
Prosecutors have filed petitions seeking to keep both Stokes and Jansen detained while they await trial. A detention hearing is scheduled in Peoria County Circuit Court.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue working to determine the full circumstances surrounding King’s death.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Peoria Police Department.
