Who was Cheyann Klus? Missing Downers Grove woman's remains found after FIVE years
DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS: The remains of a Downers Grove woman has been located more than five years after she was reported missing. Cheyann Klus was 22 years old when she was last seen by her family on November 27, 2017, at her home in unincorporated Downers Grove, according to the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office.
The grief-stricken family of Klus on Monday, January 16, announced that police have located her remains. Her remains were found back in December, 2022, but she was positively identified last week using dental records, FOX 32 reported. "While it was not the news we were hoping for, we have received confirmation from law enforcement that Cheyann's remains were found,” Klus’ family wrote in a Facebook post.
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The post continued, "As her immediate family [father, sisters, brothers, nephews] in mourning, we ask for privacy as we grieve the unbearable loss of a daughter, sister, aunt, and a human being. We plan to hold a private memorial service for Cheyann amongst us, but we hope that everyone can find solace in knowing that she has been found and respectfully laid to rest.” However, it is yet not revealed how and where Klus’ remains were found.
In 2017, Klus was reported missing by her father when she didn’t return to her home. Her father said she had her laptop and a few pieces of clothing when she left but nothing that indicated she would be gone long. Police immediately launched an investigation to locate Klus. Few days after the authorities learned that Klus traveled on December 1, 2017, to Chicago where she was last seen in the 2100 block of North Kilbourn in the city’s Hermosa neighborhood. According to True Crime Daily, she stayed at her friend Brian Biddle’s home in Chicago. Klus' friend Chad Chanapai told the outlet that Biddle was 16 years older than Klus.
At the time, police confirmed that Biddle is not a suspect or even a person of interest. Det Jeff Leonard said that he is only a witness and has been cooperating. Biddle reportedly told officials that on December 1, 2017, Klus was with him at his house where they drank and spent the whole day together. He also added that after partying, he slept for over 18 hours and when he woke up, Klus was gone. The officials even searched the area near Biddle's house but found nothing.
Finally, a major breakthrough in the case came on December 11, 2017, when Klus' phone made a frantic call to 911. The call was a hang-up, so no one spoke to whoever the caller was. The call to 911 pinged on a cellphone tower at the Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, 20 miles from Biddle's house, and 18 miles from Klus' home. The area was searched on December 22, 2017, but Klus was not located. A few days later, the officials again searched the Preserve for a second time with more than 100 personnel and five dogs but she was still not located.
Now, reflecting on the discovery of Klus’ remains, the Cook County Sheriff's Office said they will continue work with Chicago police to investigate the circumstances of her death. "The Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with Chicago Police to investigate the circumstances of her death, but we are grateful to help bring some measure of closure to Klus’ family," the office said in a statement.