Danielle Denning

COM 161 – Section 006

October 15, 2021 – 1 p.m.
Jelani Day

Family, friends and fellow students of Illinois State grad student Jelani (Jeh-LAHN-ee) Day are

searching for answers regarding his death. Day was reported missing on August twenty-fourth

and his body was found on September fourth near the south bank of the Illinois River. He was

officially pronounced dead on September twenty-third, a month after he went missing. The cause

of death remains unknown. Recent reports say that some of Day’s organs were missing following

the information released from the preliminary (pruh-li-muh-neh-ree) autopsy (aa-taap-see) and

an independent autopsy. Day’s mother says that no organs were missing… but her son did not

intentionally go in a river. She has not commented any further on this information. Day’s mother

and I-S-U students want to find out what happened and consequence those responsible. I-S-U

student Tess Bledsoe (Bled-sow) expresses the impact of Day’s case on campus.

START: TESS BLEDSOE

TIME: 13

OUT: “…CIRCUMSTANCES WITH EVERYONE.”

Jelani Day’s case is the most recent of a series of disappearances receiving widespread attention.

This is something that the community needs to be aware of… so we can prevent any future

tragedies.

Rec Date 10/15

Tot Time 1:00

Jelani Day Actuality

October 13, 2021

Tess Bledsoe

:13

“I think that Jelani’s case has a big impact on our campus. From my experience, initially it made

me worried about being in the area where this happened. After it hit me, I realized that us

students must be more aware and prepared for our surroundings and try our best to be on good

circumstances with everyone.”

Rec Date 10/13

Tot Time:13
 References

Bledsoe, Tess. Personal Interview. 13 October 2021.

Chappell, Bill. “Jelani Day's Body Is Identified a Month after the Grad Student Went Missing.”

NPR, NPR, 24 Sept. 2021, https://www.npr.org/2021/09/24/1040391878/jelani-day-

identified-missing-bloomington.

Howard, Brooke Leigh. “Mystery of Grad Student's Death Deepens with Report of 'Missing

Organs'.” The Daily Beast, The Daily Beast Company, 12 Oct. 2021,

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mystery-of-illinois-grad-student-jelani-days-death-

deepens-missing-organs-report.

NBC Chicago. “Jelani Day's Mom Sets Record Straight after Reports Autopsy Showed Organs

Were Missing.” NBC Chicago, NBC Chicago, 12 Oct. 2021,

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/jelani-days-mom-sets-record-straight-after-

reports-autopsy-showed-organs-were-missing/2634613/.

Stunson, Mike. “Body Pulled from Illinois River Is of Missing Man Jelani ...” Body of Jelani

Day, Missing Illinois Grad Student, Pulled out of River, Officials Say,

https://www.bnd.com/news/state/illinois/article254475128.html.

Thestone, Erika. “Missing College Student Found Dead in Florida.” The Black Wall Street

Times, 4 Oct. 2021, https://theblackwallsttimes.com/2021/10/04/missing-college-student-

found-dead-in-florida/.