MOUNT VERNON, IL – A Jefferson County man faces a first-degree murder charge after authorities discovered his wife’s body in the trunk of his car during a traffic stop Monday night, officials said.
John W. Finney, 51, was taken into custody just hours after deputies responded to a call about a possible homicide at the couple’s home in the 7500 block of North Illinois Highway 148. The residence, located in rural Mount Vernon, became the focal point of an extensive investigation that spanned several counties.
The incident came to light after a 911 caller alerted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office shortly after 8 p.m., not only reporting a suspected homicide but also providing a critical description of the suspect’s vehicle. That information quickly spread to neighboring law enforcement agencies as authorities attempted to locate the car.
Less than an hour later, an officer from the Christopher Police Department spotted the vehicle, identified as a 2007 Ford Escape, at the intersection of Illinois Highway 14 and 148. The officer trailed the SUV west along Highway 14 while coordinating with backup units in the area.
The chase culminated in rural DuQuoin, where authorities from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, alongside local police and state troopers, pulled the vehicle over in the 9000 block of Birch Road. Authorities reported the driver, later identified as John Finney, was immediately detained at the scene.
During a search of the car, officers discovered the body of Amy J. Finney, 42, in the rear compartment. The Perry County Coroner responded to the location and took custody of the victim.
Detectives, supported by the Jefferson County State’s Attorney, quickly obtained search warrants for both the Finneys’ residence and the vehicle. Investigators collected evidence at the home, indicating the suspected homicide took place at the residence before the body was transported in the vehicle.
Preliminary findings indicate that Amy Finney died from a gunshot wound sustained during a domestic dispute, according to officials. Investigators believe John Finney shot his wife before driving around Jefferson County for several hours. GPS data from his cellphone corroborates that he traveled extensively before being apprehended.
John Finney was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, where he is being held pending a pretrial detention hearing. The investigation is ongoing, as authorities continue to process evidence and interview potential witnesses.
No additional arrests have been made, and officials have not released information about a possible motive. Amy Finney’s body was sent for autopsy as detectives work to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting.
Law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions assisted in the search, stop, and arrest, underscoring the swift and coordinated response to the unfolding situation.