Online Fundraiser Launched For Deceased Teen's Funeral Expenses

WILL COUNTY, IL — A Chicago teenager named Diego Santiago Jr. who was reported missing near Joliet in November was unfortunately found dead in the Des Plaines River canal in Joliet on Saturday, Jan. 4. While the Joliet Patch reported that the investigation into Santiago's disappearance and death is being handled by police, his family and friends are already making preparations for his funeral.

To that end, a long time family friend of Santiago, Jessica Correa, has launched an online GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for funeral expenses. She has asked all those with the financial means and sympathy for the teenager's family to donate what they can. Correa posted an initial goal of $5000 for the fundraiser on Saturday afternoon. At time of writing on Saturday evening, over $2500 had already been raised.

"No one expects to be planning a funeral or memorial for their 17 year old son. It's devastating....especially when finances are limited," she wrote on the GoFundMe page description. "If you could find it in your heart to help this family during this trying time!"

Patch was first made aware of Santiago's disappearance in late November when his father, Diego Santiago Sr., contacted us via the Romeoville Facebook page. Due to the complications involved in missing persons cases and the effects news coverage can have on them, the story was only published after the detective working on Diego Jr.'s case gave her approval in the first week of December.

The Joliet Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances of Santiago Jr.'s death.