Crystal Lake police are expecting a large turnout and heavy traffic at the public visitation tomorrow for 5-year-old Andrew Freund, officials said.
A public walk-through visitation for Andrew “AJ” Freund is scheduled for 1-8 p.m. Friday at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 East Terra Cotta Avenue in Crystal Lake.
Overflow parking is at Willow Creek Community Church, 100 South Main Street in Crystal Lake, and bus service will be provided to and from the funeral home.
“The Crystal Lake Police Department anticipates a large public turnout to celebrate the life of AJ,” Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Tom Kotlowski said.
“Crystal Lake officers will be on location during the visitation to assist with the large volume of traffic expected in order to ensure the safety of those planning on attending the services and those traveling through the area surrounding Davenport Funeral Home,” he added.
Those not planning on attending AJ’s services are asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes of travel, police said.
“The City of Crystal Lake would like to thank the public for its support, patience, and understanding as the community pays their respects to young AJ,” Kotlowski said.
“Andrew “AJ” Freund had a smile that could light up a room—and a personality to match. He was a loving, affectionate and outgoing little boy, a virtual ray of sunshine to all who knew him, with a giggle and laugh that was uniquely his. AJ, now an angel to all of us, will be forever remembered in the hearts of everyone he touched—friends, family and people near and far throughout our community,” the boy’s obituary read.
The Davenport Family Funeral Home, who donated their services for AJ’s funeral, said that donations to AJ’s siblings can be made through a GoFundMe here. So far, the GoFundMe has raised almost $60,000.
AJ’s parents have been charged in connection with his disappearance and murder. They each remain held in the McHenry County Jail on a $5 million bond.
Andrew’s body was found on April 24 buried in a shallow grave wrapped in plastic in a field near Woodstock, police said.