HENNEPIN — A Putnam County grand jury on Thursday returned an indictment against Clifford Andersen, 67, of Standard for the murder of his sister-in-law, Deborah K. Dewey, 62, of Ladd, who was last seen alive on Aug. 22, 2016, in Spring Valley.
Dewey’s gray 2007 Buick LaCrosse was found unlocked on Aug. 29, 2016, at the TA Truck Stop on Route 47, just north of Interstate 80, in Morris.
On Sept. 12, 2016, the Illinois State Police searched a residence located at Fifth Street and Route 71 in Standard. During the search of the residence and surrounding property, investigators exhumed a body from a shallow grave located in the yard of the residence. The body was later confirmed to be that of Dewey.
An intense year-long investigation by the Illinois State Police led to the newest indictment, according to a press release issued Thursday. Andersen was previously indicted and charged with concealment of a homicidal death in connection with Dewey’s disappearance and death.
The Illinois State Police and Illinois Attorney General’s Office were assisted by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.