MOUNT VERNON, IL – Authorities in southern Illinois have charged a man with murder after police discovered his wife’s body in the trunk of his car during a late-night traffic stop, following an alert from a 911 caller who reported a possible homicide at the couple’s rural home.
John W. Finney, 51, was taken into custody Monday night and is accused of killing his wife, 42-year-old Amy J. Finney, before allegedly transporting her remains in his vehicle. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest this week after a coordinated effort involving several law enforcement agencies across neighboring counties.
Deputies responded at about 8 p.m. Monday to a report of a possible homicide at a residence located in the 7500 block of North Illinois Highway 148, set in a rural stretch near Mount Vernon, roughly 80 miles east of St. Louis. Dispatchers relayed information from the caller, who also described the suspected vehicle connected to the case.
Law enforcement quickly spread the word to surrounding jurisdictions. Around 9 p.m., an officer in Christopher, a small town nearby, identified a vehicle matching the provided description—a 2007 Ford Escape—traveling along Illinois Highway 14 and 148. The officer tailed the SUV and requested backup as it headed west on Highway 14.
Soon after, deputies from Franklin County joined the pursuit, helping to safely initiate a stop in the 9000 block of Birch Road near DuQuoin. Additional support from the DuQuoin Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, and Illinois State Police ensured the scene remained secure as officers approached the SUV.
During a protective search of the car, police discovered Amy Finney’s body in the trunk area, confirming suspicions from earlier in the evening. Meanwhile, separate deputies investigating the Finneys’ residence uncovered evidence suggesting it was the site of the killing.
Detectives quickly secured warrants to search both the vehicle and the family home. Evidence collected from those locations, alongside forensic analysis, led investigators to conclude that Amy Finney had died from a gunshot wound sustained during a domestic dispute, authorities said.
Perry County’s coroner responded to the scene in DuQuoin and took custody of the victim for further examination. Investigators stated that preliminary findings suggest John Finney shot his wife before attempting to move the body.
The sheriff’s office revealed that digital records from the suspect’s cellphone showed he spent several hours driving throughout the county prior to his arrest. Authorities have since booked John Finney into the Jefferson County Jail, where he awaits a pretrial detention hearing on a charge of first-degree murder.
Amy Finney’s death marks a tragic event in the rural community, and officials have indicated their investigation remains ongoing as they review evidence and determine a possible motive. No further details regarding circumstances surrounding the couple or prior incidents have been released as of Wednesday.