On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to an area along Shiloh Road in rural Hopedale for a deceased individual.
Pronounced deceased at the scene at 1:30 p.m. today (Thursday) was 59 year-old male Eric Burlingame of rural Hopedale. No foul play is suspected.
Mr. Burlingame was found in an area that was previously covered with large snow drifts from the recent snowfall. He was reported missing December 14, 2025.
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An autopsy is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
This case is under investigation by the Illinois State Police, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.
