Death In Elwood: Man, 72, Found Next To His Vehicle

ELWOOD, IL — The police force in the small community of Elwood, south of Joliet, is investigating a suspicious death after the discovery of a man's body Thursday evening prompted the activation of the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force.

The 72-year-old man was found dead near the property of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail yard, according to Elwood Police Chief Fred Hayes. The Will County Coroner's Office identified the dead man as Peotone resident Dennis Broadbent.

Authorities were notified of the man's death around 7:15 p.m.

Chief Hayes told Joliet Patch that the man was discovered near his vehicle along a pretty beat up and secluded road with a lot of potholes. The property is near the old Joliet Arsenal property.

"It is outside the perimeter of the BSNF, and it's an access road from the old Arsenal," Hayes told Joliet Patch. "He was next to his vehicle."

Hayes wanted residents to know there is no danger or threat to the community at this stage, and police are not looking for any suspects or persons of interest at this time. The man, who came from Peotone, suffered a laceration to his throat, Hayes said.

"It was certainly a suspicious death," Hayes said.

He said that anyone who saw something suspicious near the BSNF rail yard and Mississippi Avenue around 7 p.m. Thursday is asked to call Elwood police at 815-423-5411.

"It's not a regularly traveled road," Hayes explained. "It's beginning to look like there were no other people involved. At this time, we are not looking for or seeking any other individuals or persons of interest."

WJOL news radio station 1340-AM reported that Elwood fire paramedics and Elwood police were dispatched to the BNSF property because a man was lying on the ground near a silver sedan.