Missing/Suicidal Person Found Safe – Update
The Carbondale Police Department is pleased to report officers located 18 year old Rakim Verner safe and in good health in rural Jackson County in a remote area near US Highway 51 south of Carbondale at approximately 11:20 a.m. on June 26, 2020. The City of Carbondale Police Department has been assisting the Chicago Police Department and has been actively searching for Rakim since he arrived in Carbondale by train from Chicago on June 23, 2020. He had last been seen on video walking southbound along Rt. 51 past the SIU Campus at approximately 9:40 p.m. that evening. Witness reports of possible sightings of Rakim were investigated and both ground and aerial searches had continued. Ultimately, detectives were able to obtain investigative information which led officers to the remote area where Rakim was found. Rakim was transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale for a precautionary medical evaluation. He was reunited with his parents at that time. The Carbondale Police Department would like to thank all of the local residents and businesses as well as the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, SIU Department of Public Safety, Illinois State Police, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the Carbondale Fire Department who assisted us in the investigation of this incident.
Previous release:
The City of Carbondale Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing person from Chicago, Il. Rakim J. Verner, 18 years old, left Chicago on an Amtrak train on June 23, 2020 and sent a suicidal text message to his parents. He arrived in Carbondale on June 23, 2020 and is last known to have walked southbound along Rt. 51 past the Southern Illinois University. Rakim was last seen wearing a green T-Shirt, dark pants, white tennis shoes and eye glasses. He was carrying sling bag over his back. If you see Rakim Verner please contact the Carbondale Police Department at 618-457-3200. The investigation into whereabouts Rakim Verner is ongoing and active.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the City of Carbondale Police Department at (618) 549-2121. You may also call the Carbondale/SIU Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (618) 549-COPS (2677) or the Murphysboro/Jackson County anonymous tip line at (618) 687-COPS (2677). Anonymous tips may also be made by selecting the “Crime Stoppers” tab located on the main page of this website. Please help yourself, along with your county, its communities and the university campus by using these numbers if you witness, or have any information pertaining to, a crime. Cash rewards for information which leads to an arrest are also made anonymously. Remember, crime doesn’t pay, but Crime Stoppers does!