Sheriff’s office identifies torso found in Warren County

The Warren County Sheriff’s Department has identified the torso found at a rest stop along I-70 in 2004. The torso, which was headless, handless, and legless, was found by a maintenance worker trimming hedges at the rest stop near Wright City.

Deputies say the torso belonged to Deanna D. Howland from Alton, Illinois. She had been reported missing since the spring of 2004.Howland would have been 35 at the time her remains were discovered in June.

No cause of death has been identified, but the case is being treated as a homicide. No suspects or persons of interest have been named.

Persons with any knowledge of the victim, Deanna Howland, or any possible circumstances surrounding her disappearance are encouraged to call the Warren County Sheriff’s Department at 636-456-4332, the Madison County Illinois Sheriff’s Department at 618-692-0871, or the St. Louis Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1- 866-371-8477.