dawnmpeters
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BEASON -- Authorities will answer questions later this morning about a homicide in Beason that left multiple family members dead.
Early today, Logan County Sheriff Steve Nichols told The Pantagraph that no one is in custody and would not comment on suspects. He warned the small community to be cautious. "I think people do need to lock their doors and take precautions," he said.
He said everyone in the family is accounted for. A news conference is planned for 11 a.m. in Lincoln. McLean County Emergency Management Agency has dispatched its search and rescue team to help with the investigation and Logan County EMA has a command post at the Beason Fire Department.
Postmaster Jodie Duncan said 10 Beason children usually ride the school bus to attend Chester-East Lincoln Elementary and Lincoln Community High School. This morning, when the bus arrived across the street from the post office, she screamed to the driver, "Rita, none of the kids are here."
At least three of the 10 children are believed to be from the family.
The deaths were reported around 4 p.m. Monday and investigators remain at the house today. Two bodies were removed around 6 a.m. A police SUV and mobile crime scene trailer were backed into the driveway of the family's home on Broadway Street.
The lone survivor, believed to be a young child, was airlifted to a Peoria hospital yesterday afternoon.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims. Police continue to block traffic on some streets in town.
Family friend Russell Miller said he saw the adult male victim Sunday night as he went for groceries in a nearby town.
"I'm almost in disbelief as to what I'm hearing," Russell said early today.
Beason, with about 200 people, is a farming community located along Route 10 between Lincoln and Clinton.
This story will be updated.
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_14b710c8-a70b-11de-9beb-001cc4c03286.html
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