Missing Peoria woman’s body found in corn picker

PEORIA – The body of a missing Peoria woman has been found stuck in a farmer’s combine in a central Illinois cornfield.

The Journal Star reported that the farmer found 24-year-old Tashyra McDowell’s body Tuesday. McDowell was the mother of a 7-year-old autistic son, who was found unattended Monday morning in Peoria. Later that day McDowell’s car was found abandoned. Her mother, Twila Rutherford, said she last had contact with her daughter Friday. McDowell’s son is now with Rutherford, who said the boy was her daughter’s “pride and joy.”

An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday and Peoria County authorities are investigating.