Multiple gunshots killed man found burning in East St. Louis, authorities say

A 23-year-old man whose body was found near a burning car in East St. Louis in June has been identified by authorities, who determined he died of gunshot wounds before being burned.

Stephon Jones, was already dead when police arrived on the scene of a vehicle fire in the backyard of 2906 Converse Ave. around 1:15 a.m. on June 26. They found his body on fire next to the burning car.

The Illinois State Coroner’s Office said Jones died of multiple gunshot wounds and that his body was completely burned. It took the office a long time to identify the man, a spokeswoman said.

At the time, Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Craig Nolan said the police were treating the case as a homicide.

On Aug. 29, Illinois State Police issued a search warrant for the burning car — a Ford pickup truck — in connection with a first-degree murder. The affidavit said the truck was damaged extensively by fire.

On Thursday, Lt. Mark Doiron of the state police said the investigation is ongoing and that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified yet.

This story was originally published September 6, 2018 at 4:09 PM.