Missing Man Found Dead In Chicago: Oswego Police

OSWEGO, IL — A Bolingbrook man missing for more than two years has been found dead, Oswego police said Tuesday evening.

Edward Gardner was 22 when he was reported missing to Oswego police on March 14, 2022.

Police said he lived in Bolingbrook but had family in Oswego.

According to authorities, Gardner's family, who typically had daily contact with him, decided to report him missing after growing worried when he hadn't contacted family since early the previous day. An acquaintance later reported seeing him on the evening of March 13, 2022 in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood, Patch reported.

A couple of weeks after Gardner was reported missing, police said his rental car was determined to have been involved in a multi-car crash in Hammond, Indiana. The driver and passenger of the rental car, a 2021 white Dodge Charger with Florida license plates, were seen fleeing the crash, according to a news release from March 2022.

Police said that based on information obtained during the investigation of the crash, they don't believe Gardner was one of the occupants.

The Oswego Police Department said it has since collaborated with nearly 30 agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Agency, in an attempt to locate Gardner. Multiple searches, including searches with the aid of a K-9 unit, were conducted.

In 2023, police said they had identified "additional associates" of Gardner's in hopes of speaking with them, but "a few have been murdered" and others did not cooperate when interviewed.

On Tuesday, Oswego police said the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office had identified remains found in the City of Chicago as those of Gardner.

"During this challenging time, we ask the public to keep Mr. Gardner's family and loved ones in their thoughts and prayers," police said in a statement. "While the missing persons investigation has concluded, the investigation into Mr. Gardner's death remains ongoing. The Oswego Police Department will continue to collaborate with the appropriate."