Jamie L. Thackston Jones, a 35-year-old woman from Momence, IL, tragically lost her life on September 12, 2018, in Kankakee, IL. She was born on October 15, 1982, in Kankakee, IL, to Richard Thackston and JoAnn LeBeau. Jamie was a mother of six children: Blake, Keith Morellas, Janet, Shane Goodman, Rose Goodman, and K’den Goodman.
On the morning of September 12, 2018, Jamie was found unresponsive in a room at the Fairview Motel in Kankakee by the motel manager.
She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office and the Kankakee Police Department launched an investigation into her death, which was ruled a homicide.
Emanuel D. Burns, a 33-year-old man from Pembroke Township, was arrested in connection with Jamie's murder. Burns had been incarcerated at the Jerome Combs Detention Center since the day of the homicide. He was previously arrested for attempted murder, aggravated battery , and several counts of home invasion by the Kankakee Police Department from an incident that occurred hours after Jamie's death. Burns faced additional charges for Jamie's murder, and his bond was set at $750,000. The State's Attorney's Office secured a bill of indictment, and Burns was scheduled to appear in court on April 4th.
The investigation into Jamie's death involved the collaborative efforts of the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office and the Kankakee Police Department. Sheriff Mike Downey credited the tireless work of the investigators in ensuring that Burns would receive justice. The case highlighted the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in solving complex cases and bringing perpetrators to justice.
