PEORIA COUNTY, ILLINOIS — September 27, 2026 — A 20-year-old mother and her 2-year-old son were killed Friday morning in Peoria County in what authorities are investigating as a domestic-violence-related double homicide.
The victims have been identified as Heaven J. Wood, 20, and her 2-year-old son, KJ Duncan-Wood, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood.
Authorities were first called around 6:09 a.m. Friday to a report of a burning vehicle in the 3500 block of Yorkshire Drive.
After arriving, law enforcement conducted a welfare check at a nearby residence and found Wood suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
She was transported to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 6:49 a.m.
According to the coroner, an autopsy showed that Wood suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died instantly.
Her young son, KJ, was found inside the vehicle after firefighters extinguished the flames.
The coroner said the toddler suffered severe smoke inhalation and likely died moments after the fire began.
He was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 7:18 a.m.
Two other children were reportedly found unharmed inside the residence.
Suspect Taken Into Custody
Authorities identified 24-year-old Jeremiah Duncan as a suspect in the killings.
After an hours-long search, Peoria County Sheriff’s deputies and Peoria Police took Duncan into custody shortly after noon Friday near Molleck and Oak Crest drives.
Sheriff Chris Watkins said Duncan was armed with a knife when officers located him and had suffered serious burns.
He was receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed facility.
As of the latest reports, formal charges were expected to be filed by the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Authorities also said they could not immediately confirm whether Duncan was KJ’s father.
Sheriff Watkins described the deaths as the result of domestic violence and called Friday an extremely difficult situation involving multiple crime scenes.
Coroner Jamie Harwood said the tragedy was devastating for Wood and her son and urged anyone experiencing domestic abuse or living with an unsafe partner to seek help.
