Unclear How Long Missing Man Was Dead: Cops, Coroner

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, IL — A Joliet-area man reported missing last week was found dead on Saturday, the Will County Coroner's Office said. William R. Smiley, 28, was reported missing by his family on Aug. 11, six days before his body was found. The coroner's office said Smiley was found in a tall, grassy field near the I-55 northbound exit ramp at Route 30 in Plainfield Township.

Illinois State Police said they responded to a report of a rolled-over vehicle near the ramp at 8:47 a.m. Saturday, but "it is unknown at this time the exact date and time the crash occurred."

Authorities said Smiley was driving when he was ejected during a single-vehicle rollover crash.

On Monday, state police said the Buick Smiley had been driving was reported as stolen to the Tinley Park Police Department on Aug. 7.

Last week, Joliet police investigated the disappearance of Smiley, who lived on Arbor Fields Drive, located in the Joliet Police Department's jurisdiction but with a Plainfield mailing address. Police did not believe Smiley's disappearance was suspicious.

Joliet police had asked the public to keep an eye out for Smiley and the 2015 Buick LaCrosse, which had dealership plates. Smiley reportedly worked for Rizza Buick, Cadillac, GMC in Tinley Park.

Preliminary autopsy reports indicated Smiley sustained multiple injuries in a motor vehicle crash, the Will County Coroner's Office said.