Illinois State Police Arrests Suspects in Lake Mattoon Death Investigation
July 2, 2026
LAKE MATTOON – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation arrested two suspects as part of a death investigation after human remains were found in Lake Mattoon. Both suspects, 26-year-old James Adams and 62-year-old Robin Turner, are charged with Concealment of a Homicide (Class 3 Felony) and Dismembering a Human Body (Class X Felony).
On the evening of June 28, 2026, boaters observed part of a human arm in Lake Mattoon. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department requested ISP adopt the investigation. The arm had distinct tattoos which were utilized to seek the public’s assistance to aid in the identification. Subsequent searches of the lake revealed additional parts of human remains. After a thorough investigation, ISP Special Agents identified the victim as 38-year-old Dalewayne Turner of Plainfield, IL.
An intensive investigation ensued, and Special Agents quickly identified Adams and Turner as potential suspects. On July 1, 2026, ISP executed a search warrant at Adams and Turner’s residence in the 2400 block of Ruth Fitzgerald Drive in Plainfield. Officers took Adams and Turner into custody. Additional evidence was also recovered.
On July 2, 2026, ISP presented the case to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the above-mentioned charges were filed. Adams and Turner remain in custody. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. There is no additional information.
ISP thanks the following agencies for their assistance with this investigation: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Mattoon Police Department, Neoga Police Department, Effingham Police Department, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Coroner, Effingham County Search and Rescue, Neoga Emergency Medical Services, Mattoon Fire Department, Neoga Fire Department, Lincoln Fire Department, Hillsboro Fire Department, Montgomery EMA Lake Mattoon, Marina & Campgrounds – City of Mattoon, Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad, and the Joliet Police Department.
|
Robin Turner (F/62)
|
James Adams (M/26)
The charges are not evidence against the defendants, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
**Editor’s Note: If you find the story here of value, consider clicking one of the Google ads embedded in the story. It costs you nothing but Google will give the website owner a few cents. This is a way to help support local news at no cost to the reader.
