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Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010

Posted on Tue, Jun. 15, 2010

Double murder in East St. Louis brings in Major Case Squad
Carolyn P. Smith
News-Democrat
The bodies of a man and an apparently pregnant Belleville woman were found together on a day bed, shot to death inside a home at 1332 Market St. in East St. Louis, police said.

The bodies were found at 11:30 p.m. Monday when the homeowner returned. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been activated to investigate the case.

Police did not release the identities of the victims. They said the female was reported missing from Belleville.

A Jeep belonging to the woman was located outside the home. The homeowner, who was not identified, discovered the bodies, East St. Louis Police Chief Lenzie Stewart said.

He could not release many details because the shootings had just occurred and a investigation had just started. He said the Major Case Squad was activated at 12:50 a.m. Tuesday.

The female is 20 and the male about 22 years old. They were found together on a day bed inside the home, he said.

Stewart said the woman appeared to be pregnant "but we can't be sure that was the case until an autopsy is done."

No motive has been established, Stewart said. The murders are the 12th and 13th homicides this year in East St. Louis.

Investigators remained on the scene at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Those with information about the killings are asked to call the Major Case Squad at (618) 482-6790.

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