The coroner has released the identity of a woman who was strangled to death before her body was dumped alongside a quiet roadway near Wadsworth Wednesday.
An autopsy performed Wednesday showed Megan Lewis, 39, of Chicago, preliminarily died as a result of strangulation, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 7 a.m. Wednesday to Hunt Club Road south of Route 173 in Old Mill Creek.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said a 911 caller reported a possible body on the side of the road.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located the body of a deceased woman, later identified as Lewis, on the east shoulder of Hunt Club Road.
Covelli said it appeared the woman was the victim of a homicide based on a preliminary investigation.
Lewis’ body was dumped on the side of the roadway sometime during the early morning hours, Covelli said.
A bystander told Lake and McHenry County Scanner she was driving southbound on Hunt Club Road heading toward Wadsworth Road when she passed by the scene.
The woman said she saw the body in a black bag on the side of the road.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, positively identified Lewis as the victim and notified her family.
Hunt Club Road from Route 173 to Wadsworth Road was shut down Wednesday morning during the investigation.
Sheriff’s detectives continue to investigate the homicide, Covelli said.
They do not believe the homicide happened at the location where the body was found.
No arrests have been announced in the case as of Thursday evening.