Police in Illinois are investigating the deaths of a man and woman found in a basement of a home in Peoria as a murder-suicide.
The deaths of 23-year-old Daniya Washington and 20-year-old Damarious Jacolby Matthews are being investigated as a murder-suicide, according to the coroner.
Washington suffered a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at 12:59 p.m. Thursday, shortly after the coroner arrived on scene. The coroner also pronounced Matthews dead at 12:59 p.m. He also suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
Washington’s death is being investigated as a homicide, while Matthews’ death is being investigated as a suicide. The coroner said the pair’s relationship to each other is still under investigation.
Police were initially called to the 500 block of West Lawndale Avenue at 12:41 p.m. Thursday. The coroner said neither appeared to reside in the residence in which they were found but added that aspect of the case is still being investigated.
“It’s yet another incident that we’ve had here in the city that people are going to suffer through now and the trauma, the trauma that continues to happen in our city, to the decedents who unfortunately lost their life, now to the people who are involved. So it’s tragic,” Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said.
Daniya’s family set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral and burial arrangements. You can donate here.
The deaths are still under investigation by police. Those with any information related to this incident are encouraged to call Detective Corey Miller at (309) 494-8397, Crime Stoppers at (309) 673-9000.
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