Body Identified as Missing Champaign Man

Champaign County Coroner Duane Nortrup said a body discovered Sunday behind a house on Hedge Road is that of Renard Jackson.

The 49-year old Champaign man was reported missing from that same neighborhood in November. Champaign Police confirmed the fingerprints from an autopsy were a positive match for Jackson. His body was discovered found under a pile of debris, which was hidden from plain view.

"The Champaign Police Department extends our deepest sympathies and condolences to Renard Jackson's family," Champaign Police Chief Anthony Cobb said. "We would also like to thank the community members, business owners and media outlets who heeded the call to assist the department with this search. My heart goes out to everyone who knew Renard, for it was evident that he belonged to a strong and tightly-knit community that cared for him."

The Champaign Police Department is treating this case as an active homicide investigation.

Northrup said preliminary autopsy results are pending at this time due to the suspicious circumstances of Jackson's death. An investigation by Champaign Police and the Coroner's Office is ongoing.