The Aurora Police Department has positively identified human remains located in Kane County in December, as the body of 22-year-old Tyesha Bell, a woman who was reported missing in 2003.
Bell was last seen by her sister inside their shared apartment in the 800 block of North Randall Road in the late evening of May 10, 2003. After receiving a telephone call, she left home but left the television on, candles burning in her bedroom and her two young children with family members and hasn't been seen or heard from since. Over the past 18 years, investigators have tirelessly followed up on numerous leads and theories to bring some sense of justice to Bell's family and loved ones.
In December 2020, human remains were located in Kane County. The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force and the Kane County Coroner's Office were requested to process and document the scene. The remains were transported to the Kane County Morgue for additional testing.
None of the items found at the location confirmed the identification process. In consultation with a forensic odontologist and a forensic anthropologist, Kane County Coroner Rob Russell created a profile of the decedent and sent DNA to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab for analysis. After consultation with the forensics team, the manner of death has been ruled a homicide.
Through DNA analysis by Illinois State Police's Crime Lab, the remains were positively identified as 22-year-old Bell.
"Our detectives continue to have working theories in Tyesha's case, but we need more information before criminal charges can be authorized, and that's where the public comes in," Aurora Police Department's Bureau of Investigative Services Commander Jack Fichtel said. "We implore anyone who may have information to please come forward."
The Aurora Police Department has set up a dedicated tip line for this case. Anyone with tips or information about the case is asked to call (630) 256-5517 or email [email protected]. Tips can also be left anonymously for our investigators by calling the Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Crime Stoppers is a community program geared toward public involvement in the fight against crime. It offers cash rewards up to $5,000 and anonymity to citizens who furnish information leading to the arrest of felony crime offenders and the capture of felony fugitives.
"The Aurora Police Department continues to work closely with our partners at the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, the Kane County Coroner's Office, and the Kane County State's Attorney's Office to investigate all aspects of this case and bring justice to Tyesha's family and her loved ones," Aurora Police Department Public Information Officer Paris Lewbel said.
Republished courtesy of the Aurora Illinois Police Department. Photo: News conference announcing the identification of Bell. Credit: APD.