Identification of Teen Found in Mississippi River Solves Decades-Long Mystery

The remains of a teenager found over 50 years ago in the Mississippi River near Clinton, Iowa, have been identified as Cheryl Lynn Edwards, a resident of Waukegan. This breakthrough was achieved through forensic genealogy, as outlined in a release from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

On April 11, 1975, deputies responded to a report of a deceased teen in the river north of Clinton. The body was discovered, but identity remained unknown. An autopsy confirmed the death as a homicide, sparking a decades-long investigation that stalled without identification until DNA technology provided new insights.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Cheryl was the daughter of Bernice and Leonard Edwards, former residents of Waukegan. Following her identification, authorities communicated with surviving family members who had searched for her since her disappearance. This development allows the investigation into her murder to continue.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Waukegan Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, is actively pursuing leads to understand who is responsible for Cheryl’s death. They are asking the public for any information about her life, disappearance, and subsequent death.

A 1975 Waukegan High School yearbook photo of Cheryl Lynn Edwards has been shared, emphasizing her identification as a homicide victim.