Authorities said Dolnesha A. Jones appeared to have died from suffocation.
BROOKLYN, Ill. — Police are investigating the death of Dolnesha A. Jones, 37, after she was found dead Tuesday morning inside her apartment at the Thomas Terry Apartments in Brooklyn, Illinois.
Jones’ death is being treated as a homicide as local and state authorities review what happened inside the public housing complex. The St. Clair County coroner identified Jones and said her cause of death appeared to be suffocation, though an autopsy was still pending.
Jones was pronounced dead at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday inside her residence at the Thomas Terry Apartments, a complex in the 600 block of South Sixth Street. Investigators responded to the scene later Tuesday and worked around the property while residents watched police activity unfold. A police lieutenant said a man turned himself in as investigators continued to gather information. Officials had not released the man’s name, his relationship to Jones or whether charges had been filed.
St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. identified Jones as the victim. The coroner said the death appeared to involve suffocation, but final findings were expected to depend on the autopsy and investigative review. Illinois State Police canvassed the area Tuesday and went door to door at the apartment complex. An agency spokesperson declined to give more details about the case, including what evidence had been collected or whether investigators were seeking additional witnesses.
The Thomas Terry Apartments sit in Brooklyn, a small Metro East village north of East St. Louis. The police response drew attention from neighbors and family members as yellow tape blocked part of the scene. Authorities did not say who found Jones or whether there were signs of forced entry. They also had not released a timeline showing when Jones was last seen alive before officers and coroner’s staff arrived.
No formal charging information had been announced by Wednesday afternoon. Investigators were expected to rely on the autopsy, interviews and any evidence collected from the apartment before presenting findings to prosecutors. Police had not announced a motive. The next public update could come from the coroner, Illinois State Police or Brooklyn police as the homicide investigation moves forward.
As of Wednesday, Jones had been publicly identified, but many key facts remained unknown. Authorities had not released the suspect’s identity, the exact circumstances of the man’s surrender or a court date. The investigation remained active in St. Clair County.
Author note: Last updated May 13, 2026.