Tazewell County, IL – Authorities in Tazewell County say a missing man was found dead Thursday afternoon in a rural area near Hopedale.
According to the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office, 59-year-old Eric Burlingame of rural Hopedale was discovered deceased around 1:30 p.m. along Shiloh Road. Officials said there are no signs of foul play.
Burlingame had been reported missing on December 14, 2025, and was located in an area recently covered by large snowdrifts following the latest winter weather.
The Tazewell County Coroner’s Office, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and Illinois State Police are jointly investigating the case. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday afternoon to determine the official cause of death.
Authorities have not released additional details at this time.
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