Streator, IL –   The anniversary date of the disappearance and murder of 7-year-old Dalton Mesarchik of Streator, Illinois, is Friday, March 26, 2021.  Dalton was reported missing to the Streator Police Department on March 26, 2003.  The following day, Dalton’s body was located in the Vermilion River south of Streator.

The investigation remains an Illinois State Police (ISP) priority and is assigned to the ISP Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The ISP DCI continues to work closely with the Streator Police Department, Livingston County Sheriff's Office, Livingston County Coroner's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the LaSalle and Livingston County State's Attorney’s Offices in an effort to solve this case. With assistance from the above agencies, the ISP DCI continues to follow up on all existing and new leads. To date, approximately 2,000 leads have been opened and investigated.  Of these, many have led to additional follow up assignments within and outside the state of Illinois. In addition, approximately 500 evidentiary exhibits have been seized in this investigation. 

No additional information will be released at this time. If any significant information develops, it will be disseminated as it becomes available. Lastly, we would like to remind the public a reward of $50,000 remains in effect for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Anyone with information regarding this investigation or other crimes is encouraged to contact the ISP DCI by email at ISP.DCI.Zone05@Illinois.gov.