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IL State Police Reopen Investigation Into Army National Guardsman Found Dead in 2018

Courtesy Illinois State Police
Tyler Smith

The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations is now looking into the 2018 death of a Army National Guardsman in Galesburg.
Tyler Smith, 23, of Rochelle, was found dead in Cedar Fork Creek on Sept. 15, 2018. He was reportedly with his friends in downtown Galesburg that evening when he became separated from the rest of the group.

The Galesburg Police Department and Knox County Coroner Mark Thomas concluded at the time it was a drowning, with no foul play suspected.

But the Illinois State Police (ISP) recently reopened the investigation into his death. Smith's family called for a second official investigation after they hired an independent investigator to re-examine the case.

Smith was a Western Illinois University graduate.

The ISP declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.

Smith's family is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Illinois State Police Zone 2 Investigations at (815) 632-4010, Ext. 230.

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Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.