Pair indicted on first-degree murder charges after man’s body parts found in lake, freezer
07/31/2026 10:04 am PDT
WILL COUNTY, Ill. (TCN) -- Two people have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a man whose dismembered remains were found in a lake near Chicago.
On June 28, boaters contacted the police when they found a human arm floating in Lake Mattoon. The Cumberland Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene and later requested the help of Illinois State Police in the investigation.
The remains were identified as belonging to 38-year-old Dalewayne Turner. His wife, 62-year-old Robin Turner, and his half-brother, 26-year-old James Adams, were arrested June 30 and charged with dismembering a human body and concealing a homicidal death.
According to court documents obtained by WCIA, Robin Turner allegedly told police Dalewayne Turner and Adams fought over sports cards on June 21. She then left the home and claimed it smelled like bleach when she returned. Adams allegedly told police he acted in self-defense when he stabbed Dalewayne Turner. He later claimed he and Robin Turner killed him two weeks before his body was found and stored parts of his body in a freezer.
A search of the home allegedly uncovered Dalewayne Turner’s head, neck, and torso in the freezer, WCIA reports.
Investigators learned that in the weeks prior to the discovery of the body parts, Robin Turner had allegedly made internet searches that included “do you have to have a body embalmed” and “concrete mixer.” Robin Turner and Adams allegedly texted about cleaning supplies and how to “fully delete everything,” according to WCIA.
Law enforcement obtained security footage from an area Walmart that allegedly showed Adams and Robin Turner purchasing concrete, weights, and duct tape, per WCIA.
Adams and Turner were indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder on July 27. WCIA reports that the indictment supersedes the initial complaint that charged Adams and Robin Turner with dismembering a human body and concealing a homicidal death. Adams pleaded not guilty.
The indictment alleges Dalewayne Turner was killed via sharp force injuries by Robin Turner and Adams on June 21, Shaw Local reports.
Per WCIA, Robin Turner’s arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 3 and Adams’ pretrial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10.
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