Missing 5-Year-Old Boy Found Dead In Rural Area Near His Illinois Home

The body of the 5-year-old boy from Illinois whose parents reported missing last week has been found. Andrew “AJ” Freund was found dead on private land in a rural area on Wednesday morning about seven miles away from his Crystal Lake home, which is about 45 miles northwest of Chicago.

Upon returning to the family's home after his body was found, police were seen removing a tub, paper bags, a shovel, and a mattress, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

In addition to making headlines due to how he went missing, Freund's investigation also drew criticism after his mother, JoAnn Cunningham, who is seven months pregnant, reportedly stopped cooperating with police. The father, Andrew Freund Sr., has remained in contact with them, however.

Attorney Elizabeth Vonau, who is representing Cunningham along with Jeannie Ridings, previously said Cunningham has cooperated with police despite their statements otherwise. Cunningham was interviewed by police last week and “willingly submitted” to a complete body search, she said.

"She is willing to do whatever she needs to do to find AJ," Vonau said.

According to reports, the young boy was last seen the previous Wednesday when his parents put him to bed. Freund Sr. said he didn't know the boy was missing until the following morning. Around 40 people had been involved in the search for him, including members of the Illinois State Police.

Freund's younger brother was placed in protective custody last week as the authorities continued their investigation.