Body found in drainage ditch

The body of a 30-year-old St. Charles County woman was found in the drainage ditch of a farm near Dalbow Road on Wednesday evening.

A farmer found the fully-clothed body of Jill Larose, of the 100 block of White Oak, in a drainage ditch off of a gravel farm lane at about 5 p.m. on June 24. The St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department preliminary investigation has determined that foul play was involved and the death has been ruled a homicide.

“She was last known to be alive at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday,” said St. Charles County Sheriff Tom Neer. “She was in her car, talking on her cell phone to her sister when there was a strange noise on the cell phone and the call was disconnected.”

Larose’s sister was unable to reach her again and her body was found at about 5 p.m. Larose’s vehicle was found at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 15 miles away in a parking lot near Frontier Park in downtown St. Charles.

Larose was the mother of three and stepmother of two. She lived with her mother, stepfather and three children in unincorporated St. Charles County and she had been estranged from her husband for about 18 months. Police are not releasing information about the marital relationship or the name of the estranged husband.

“But I can say the both of them were in court…in reference to marital issues,” Neer said.

No vehicles were found in the isolated area where Larose’s body was found.

Neer said police believe the person who killed Larose was familiar with the area where her body was found. The police have several people of interest, including Larose’s estranged husband, who lives in Jefferson County. One undisclosed person of interest was detained and subsequently released.

The Sheriff’s Department is working the investigation in cooperation with St. Charles City police and Jefferson County police. The investigation is ongoing.