Executive Overview
On the morning of Friday, September 25, 2026, the quiet community of Peoria County, Illinois, became the backdrop for an unimaginable tragedy. A rapid succession of emergency calls exposed a horrifying chain of events that left a young mother and her toddler dead, a suspect hospitalized under heavy guard, and a community grappling with the devastating realities of domestic violence.
The victims have been identified as 20-year-old Heaven J. Wood and her 2-year-old son, KJ Duncan-Wood. According to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and local medical examiners, the mother and child were killed in separate but directly linked incidents during the early morning hours.
The suspect, 24-year-old Jeremiah Duncan, was apprehended by law enforcement hours after the initial discoveries. Found armed with a knife and suffering from severe, life-threatening burns, Duncan was taken into custody and transported to an undisclosed medical facility. As the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office prepares to file formal charges, the incident has reignited urgent discussions surrounding intimate partner violence, the vulnerability of children in abusive environments, and the systemic challenges of intervention.
Detailed Chronology of the Incident
The timeline of September 25, 2026, reveals a fast-moving and complex multi-agency response spanning several crime scenes in Peoria County.
[Early Morning Friday]
│
├──► 1. Emergency Call: Vehicle Fire Reported
│ First responders extinguish a burning car; find 2-year-old KJ Duncan-Wood deceased inside.
│
├──► 2. Welfare Check at Nearby Residence
│ Deputies discover 20-year-old Heaven J. Wood inside with multiple gunshot wounds.
│ She is rushed to the hospital but later pronounced dead.
│
├──► 3. Investigation & Manhunt Initiated
│ Police link the two scenes; identify Jeremiah Duncan (24) as the primary suspect.
│
└──► [12:00 PM Friday]
4. Suspect Apprehended
Duncan is captured armed with a knife and suffering from severe burns.1. The Early Morning Emergency Calls
The crisis began in the pre-dawn hours of Friday when emergency dispatchers received reports of a vehicle fire in a rural or semi-rural sector of Peoria County. Local fire departments and Peoria County Sheriff’s deputies rushed to the scene to extinguish the blaze.
Upon suppressing the flames, first responders made a grim discovery inside the vehicle: the body of two-year-old KJ Duncan-Wood. Preliminary forensic examinations conducted by the Peoria County Coroner’s Office revealed that the toddler suffered severe smoke inhalation. According to Coroner Jamie Harwood, the child "likely passed away moments after the fire was started."
Investigators noted that the vehicle had been driven away from a nearby residential area before crashing and catching fire. While the exact mechanics of the crash remain under investigation, authorities are working to determine whether the fire was intentionally set as an act of concealment or was a direct consequence of the collision.
2. The Welfare Check and Secondary Scene
Recognizing the registered address of the burning vehicle, Peoria County Sheriff’s deputies immediately initiated a welfare check at a nearby residence.
Upon entering the home, deputies discovered Heaven J. Wood, 20, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Though emergency medical technicians attempted life-saving measures and rushed her to a local hospital, her injuries were too severe. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The residence was quickly cordoned off as a primary crime scene. Forensic investigators spent hours recovering ballistic evidence, mapping the trajectory of the gunfire, and searching for indicators of a struggle.
3. The Manhunt and Arrest of Jeremiah Duncan
With two victims identified and a clear connection established between the residence and the burning vehicle, a multi-jurisdictional manhunt was launched. The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Peoria Police Department, identified 24-year-old Jeremiah Duncan as the primary suspect.
Shortly after 12:00 p.m. on Friday, law enforcement officers located Duncan. The apprehension was high-risk; according to Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins, Duncan was armed with a knife at the time of his arrest and was suffering from severe, extensive burns—injuries believed to have been sustained during the vehicle fire.
Duncan was taken into custody without further loss of life. Due to the severity of his burns, he was immediately transported under armed guard to an undisclosed medical facility for specialized treatment, where he remains hospitalized pending formal arraignment.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Crisis of Domestic Violence
The tragic deaths of Heaven J. Wood and her son are part of a larger, systemic crisis of domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV) that continues to plague both Illinois and the United States at large.
Domestic Violence and Homicide Rates
According to data compiled by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA):
- The Lethality of Firearms: The presence of a firearm in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%. Heaven J. Wood’s death by multiple gunshot wounds underscores the lethal intersection of domestic disputes and firearms.
- Co-Victims and Children: Children are frequently caught in the crossfire of intimate partner violence. Nationally, about 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and a significant percentage of domestic homicides involve the death of children—either as targeted victims, collateral damage, or tools of retaliation against a partner.
- Arson as a Tool of Abuse and Concealment: Forensic criminologists note that arson is occasionally used in extreme domestic violence cases to destroy physical evidence, cover up a homicide, or inflict maximum psychological and physical harm on surviving family members.
| Metric / Statistic | National Average / Detail | Illinois State Context |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence Homicides | Over 10,000 deaths annually linked to IPV. | Consistently ranks as a primary driver of violent crime in municipal and rural areas alike. |
| Firearm Involvement | ~50% of female intimate partner homicide victims are killed with a gun. | State laws have sought to restrict firearm access for those with domestic violence orders, though enforcement gaps remain. |
| Child Fatalities in IPV | Hundreds of children die annually during domestic disputes. | The state’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) often tracks co-occurring domestic abuse and child neglect/abuse. |
Official Statements and Community Impact
The emotional weight of the double homicide has deeply affected the Peoria County community and the emergency personnel who responded to the scenes. Local officials have expressed profound grief while emphasizing the urgent need to address domestic abuse.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood released a poignant statement reflecting the grim reality faced by first responders and the family of the victims:
"This day was nothing short of tragic for Ms. Wood and her son. The loss of a young mother and a beautiful two-year-old child under such violent circumstances is an unbearable burden for their family and a scar on our community."
Sheriff Chris Watkins echoed these sentiments, highlighting the broader societal implications of the tragedy:
"Days like today are a sobering reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence can have on families and our entire community. Our deputies, along with local police officers, worked tirelessly to bring this suspect into custody quickly, but the pain of this loss will be felt for a very long time."
At a press conference, both Watkins and Harwood noted that while the child’s last name (Duncan-Wood) suggests a familial link to the suspect, they have not yet officially confirmed whether Jeremiah Duncan is the biological father of 2-year-old KJ.
Local Advocacy and Intervention Resources
In the wake of this tragedy, county officials and advocacy groups are urging individuals in abusive relationships to seek immediate assistance. Coroner Harwood specifically highlighted the Center for Prevention of Abuse (CPA), a Peoria-based organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
- Crisis Hotline: 1-800-559-SAFE (7233)
- Services Offered: Safe emergency shelter, order of protection assistance, professional counseling, and systemic advocacy.
Future Outlook & Legal Proceedings
As Jeremiah Duncan continues to receive medical treatment for his burn injuries, investigators are building a comprehensive evidentiary portfolio to present to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Anticipated Legal Charges
Legal experts anticipate that the State’s Attorney will file multiple severe felony charges against Duncan once he is medically cleared to participate in legal proceedings. These charges are expected to include:
- First-Degree Murder: For the shooting death of Heaven J. Wood.
- First-Degree Murder / Felony Murder: For the death of 2-year-old KJ Duncan-Wood, depending on whether the fire is ruled an intentional act of homicide or a consequence of a felony escape.
- Aggravated Arson: If investigators prove the vehicle fire was set intentionally, endangering the occupant and first responders.
- Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding / Weapon Charges: Stemming from the crash and the subsequent confrontation with police where Duncan was armed with a knife.
The Investigative Road Ahead
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police reconstruction teams are continuing to analyze the physical evidence. Key areas of focus include:
- The Origin of the Fire: Determining whether an accelerant was used inside the vehicle or if the fire was a mechanical result of the high-speed crash.
- Motive and History: Reviewing past emergency calls, police dispatches, and potential orders of protection associated with the residence, Heaven Wood, and Jeremiah Duncan to establish a pattern of behavior.
- The Weapon Recovery: Tracing the firearm used in the shooting of Wood to determine its origin and legality.
The tragedy in Peoria County serves as a stark, painful reminder of the lethal potential of domestic disputes. As the legal system prepares to hold the perpetrator accountable, a grieving family and an entire community are left to mourn the promising lives of Heaven J. Wood and young KJ, taken far too soon.
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