A 20-year-old mother and her 2-year-old son are dead in Peoria County, Illinois, after what authorities are calling a domestic violence incident that unfolded early Friday morning. Heaven J. Wood was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside a home and pronounced dead at the hospital. Her son, KJ Duncan-Wood, was found inside a burning car and died from severe smoke inhalation. Deputies initially responded to the car fire before conducting a welfare check at the nearby home where Wood was located.
Jeremiah Duncan, 24, was taken into custody shortly after noon Friday. Authorities say he was armed with a knife and suffering from serious burns, and he is now receiving treatment at an undisclosed facility. Investigators believe the car was driven from the area of the shooting before it crashed, though it remains unclear whether the fire was intentionally set. The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office is expected to file formal charges.
Both Sheriff Chris Watkins and Coroner Jamie Harwood used the case to urge anyone facing domestic violence to seek help, with Watkins calling it “a sobering reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence can have on families and our entire community.” Support is available locally and nationally, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, free and confidential, 24 hours a day.
What would it take for more people in our community to recognize the warning signs before a situation turns fatal?
