After a week of being missing, a pastor and father of five has been discovered deceased in his car which was submerged in the Des Plaines River near Chicago.
A claim of possible foul play has been made by a fellow pastor.
On July 2, Warren Beard, 53, visited his friends in Joliet, Illinois, while he was working as an assistant pastor at New Israelite Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. Since then, he has been missing, and his whereabouts are unknown.
On Wednesday morning, the Preservation of Affordable Housing was left wondering about the whereabouts of their employee who failed to show up for work. The previous night, he didn’t return home as well, leaving his family and loved ones worried and anxious.
According to his wife Wanda, it was out of character for him not to return home before his body was discovered.
According to Fox32, the woman stated that her husband’s routine mainly consists of going to work, hitting the gym, and attending church. “That’s pretty much his daily schedule,” she mentioned.
“My husband has never stayed out before. It’s been 16 years since we got married and this is the first time he hasn’t come home,” she said with concern in her voice.
According to Theresa Boss-French, Beard’s aunt, the family is currently experiencing immense pain and sorrow. She stated to NBC Chicago that Reverend Warren Beard is not the kind of person who would vanish without informing his loved ones.
According to the family, Beard was a devoted member of his church community, a loving husband and father of five. He frequently visited Joliet because he had close friends in the area.
During a press conference held on Tuesday, it was announced by Rockdale officials that the demise of Beard had been discovered.
According to a statement from the Rockdale Fire Protection District, they were contacted by the Brandon Road Lock Master just before noon. The lock master had reviewed security footage from a week prior.
At approximately 10:47pm on July 2, the video captured a vehicle plunging into the water.
As per official reports, the video depicts the car bypassing a barricade and maneuvering through a narrow 5.5-foot opening beneath a raised drawbridge, following which it plunged into the river.
According to Chief Robert Bake of the Rockdale Police Department, the vehicle was compact enough to fit under the bridge on the road and into the river.
Sonar technology successfully located the vehicle.
According to a press release by the Will County Coroner’s Office, Beard was declared deceased at 6:20 pm.
On Wednesday, a post-mortem examination was scheduled to ascertain the cause and manner of death.
According to Pastor Chenier Alston, who worked alongside Beard for 18 years at the New Israelite Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago’s South Side, Beard was not suicidal. Alston has even suggested that foul play might have been involved in Beard’s death.
During the press conference, Alston demanded an answer to the question, “Who did this?”
According to Church Leaders, the car of the individual in question took off from the bridge, and it had to be driven around the barricades. “The fact that his car launched off that bridge,” stated the source.
“We understand how deeply he cared about his work, his spouse, and his kids. Therefore, we are seeking clarification. Regardless of the outcome, we will ensure that he receives justice,” stated with conviction.
According to him, “This behavior is out of character for him. It’s unlike him to leave his family and not return home.”
Alston expressed his deep sadness and admiration for the person who passed away, stating that he was one of the greatest men he had ever met. He shared that the situation was painful and that they were all seeking answers. Alston emphasized that no words could accurately describe the emotions they were experiencing.
The investigation into the incident is still ongoing by the Illinois State Police.
If you are struggling to cope with feelings of distress and isolation, there is support available to you. The Samaritans offer a free and confidential helpline that you can call at any time for help. You can reach them by dialing 116 123 (UK and ROI), sending an email to [email protected], or by visiting their website to locate the closest branch to you.
For those based in the USA who require mental health assistance, the National Suicide Prevention Helpline is available 24/7 and can be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This helpline is confidential and free of charge. If you are located in another country, you can visit www.befrienders.org to locate a helpline local to you.