Moline police look for answers in death of woman
An autopsy is scheduled for this morning as authorities investigate the death of a woman whose body was found in a Moline apartment Sunday.
Emergency personnel were called to 320 16th Ave., Moline, Sunday morning because of a fire at the four-unit apartment house. Authorities then found a woman’s body in a first-floor apartment.
Moline police and the Rock Island County Coroner’s Office were not releasing the woman’s name Sunday but said her death is being investigated as a homicide. Rock Island County Deputy Coroner Brian Gustafson said members of the woman’s family were still being contacted Sunday night.
“We know who she is, but it’s a matter of making sure everyone is notified,” he said.
Gustafson said the woman’s body was removed from the home Sunday night and an autopsy will be conducted this morning in Rockford. The woman’s name will likely be released sometime today.
Several investigators were still on the scene Sunday night. The Unified Command Post truck was parked on 4th Street and two large, outdoor light stands were brought in to help light the area.
Yellow crime scene tape circled the house and blocked 4th Street directly in front of the home.
Police said that when they arrived at 8:40 a.m., two fires were found in the home’s basement and were quickly extinguished. Illinois State Police Crime Scene investigators and Illinois arson investigators were assisting with the investigation.
Moline Police Chief Gary Francque said Sunday morning that a man was taken to the police department to be interviewed. Police did not release the man’s identity or what he was questioned about.
Maria Solis, who lives on 16th Avenue across from the home, said one of her neighbors a few doors down claimed to have heard five gun shots early Sunday before police and firefighters arrived. Police interviewed the neighbor, she added.
Steve Morel, who lives across from the home on 16th Avenue, said his dog woke him up when it started barking at the emergency sirens. He saw a little bit of smoke coming out of the home.
Neighbors said the people living at the home come and go frequently at all hours of the day. Tenants also don’t seem to live there long.
“I couldn’t even tell you who lived there it changes so much,” said Sarah Fulkerson, who lives a few doors down on 4th Street.
While there is a lot of traffic in and out, there is rarely trouble.
“They come and go, but that’s it,” said Lynda Carlson, who lives across from the home on 16th Street.
Several neighbors stood outside watching the busy crime scene Sunday afternoon. Many were just learning that a woman’s body was found inside while others had overheard police talking about a homicide investigation.
One woman who lives next door to the home on 4th Street was visibly shaken by the experience as she sat on her back steps. She declined to give her last name but said she felt shaky all day after hearing there was a homicide.
Chad Erickson, who lives a block away south of 16th Avenue, was watching police and firefighters and with his neighbors Dave and Sarah Fulkerson.
“It kind of hits close to home,” he said.
Solis expressed concern over recent violence in the Quad-Cities, including a double homicide in Rock Island April 11 and a police shooting in East Moline Wednesday.
“It’s a tragedy for one thing,” she said of the woman’s death. “How safe is our community? First Rock Island, then East Moline, and now this.”
Solis didn’t know anyone living in the apartment building and thinks people need to know their neighbors better to help prevent violent crimes.
Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com.
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