Authorities have launched a homicide investigation after a man was found dead early Sunday morning in a Belle Rive parking lot.
At approximately 7:12 a.m. on Sunday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive male in the 21800 block of East Bonnie Road in Belle Rive. Deputies responded to the scene and located a deceased male, identified as 47-year-old James D. Cross of Dahlgren, IL.
Detectives from the sheriff’s office, Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse, and Illinois State Police crime scene technicians were dispatched to assist with the investigation. An autopsy conducted later that afternoon determined that Cross had died from a gunshot wound.
Detectives from the Mt. Vernon Police Department also responded to assist in the homicide investigation, which remains ongoing. No further details have been released at this time.
Anyone with information regarding the case to contact Detective Captain Jeremy Wilton at (618) 244-8004, extension 225, or by email at jwilton@jeffersoncounty.illinois.gov. Tips can also be submitted through Crimestoppers at (618) 244-8477 (TIPS) or by using the “Submit A Tip” feature in the Sheriff’s Office app, available for download at www.jeffcoil.com.