A young mother’s attempt to build a better life for herself and her son ended in a devastating act of domestic violence that claimed both of their lives. Heaven J. Wood, a 20-year-old female from Peoria, Illinois, was shot and killed on September 25, 2026. Her 2-year-old son, KJ Duncan-Wood, also perished in a related car fire. According to her family, Heaven was trying to leave an abusive relationship to create a safer future for her child.
They believe "the system failed her."
Just twelve days before her death, on September 15, Heaven had sought help at the Peoria County Courthouse. In a handwritten petition for an emergency order of protection against her son's father, 24-year-old Jeremiah Duncan, she detailed a history of escalating violence and threats. She wrote that just two days prior, when she tried to end their "toxic" relationship, Duncan had gotten in her face and threatened that if she left, he would kill her and take their son. Her petition chronicled weeks of alleged abuse, including being choked, thrown down stairs, and assaulted in front of her toddler. A judge granted the temporary order, requiring Duncan to stay away from Heaven and KJ, with a full hearing scheduled for October 6.
Tragically, they would never make it to that hearing. In the early morning hours of Friday, September 25, the Peoria County Sheriff's Office responded to a vehicle fire around 6:09 a.m. in the 3500 block of Yorkshire Drive in the Royal Oaks Estates mobile home park. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, they made a horrific discovery inside the car: the body of 2-year-old KJ. An autopsy would later confirm he died from severe smoke inhalation, likely just moments after the fire started.
Deputies connected the burned vehicle to a nearby home at 3511 Yorkshire. When they conducted a welfare check, they found Heaven inside, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was unresponsive, not breathing, and had no pulse. Paramedics rushed her to OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center, but her injuries were too severe. Heaven was pronounced dead at 6:49 a.m. The coroner stated she had died instantly from the gunshots.
The Peoria County Sheriff's Office and Peoria Police Department immediately launched a manhunt for Jeremiah Duncan. He was located and taken into custody shortly after noon near Molleck and Oak Crest drives. At the time of his arrest, Duncan was armed with a knife and had sustained serious burns. He was transported to an undisclosed medical facility for treatment under police guard.
The investigation that followed was handled by the Peoria County Sheriff's Office. "Days like today are a sobering reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence can have on families and our entire community," Sheriff Chris Watkins said in a statement. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood added, “This day was nothing short of tragic for Ms. Wood and her son.”
On September 28, Peoria County prosecutors filed a first-degree murder charge against Jeremiah Duncan for the shooting death of Heaven Wood. His initial court proceedings were delayed due to his medical condition. On October 13, a grand jury returned a second indictment against Duncan, charging him with first-degree murder in the death of his son, KJ. The indictment alleged that Duncan had knowingly started the fire that killed the little boy. As of October 2026, Duncan remained hospitalized while in custody, with his case slowly moving through the court system. Family and friends of Heaven and KJ filled the courtroom for the delayed hearings, standing in silent tribute for the mother and son who could no longer speak for themselves.
