The person at the center of this case
Joseph E Beranek
Missing Person · Open
2 years waiting · since 2024
Missing Person: Joseph E Beranek
Justice for Joseph E Beranek — the trail went cold in 2024, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
📍
location
Lead #1Why did Beranek's vehicle end up at Blackhawk State Park, and what was his intended destination?
🚗
vehicle
Lead #2What does the LPR data from the Quad Cities reveal about his route and timeline between Macomb and the park?
🔍
evidence
Lead #3What personal effects were found in the vehicle, and do they suggest voluntary departure or foul play?
Joseph E Beranek, a 46-year-old male, left his residence in Macomb, Illinois on August 21, 2024, and has not been seen since. His 2006 Toyota sedan was spotted on license plate readers in the Quad Cities area the same day, then discovered abandoned at Blackhawk State Park on August 26, 2024, with his personal effects still inside. Despite extensive searches of the park and nearby river, no trace of Beranek has been found, leaving his whereabouts and circumstances unknown.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4What occurred between August 21 when the vehicle was spotted and August 26 when it was discovered abandoned?
💡
clue
Lead #5Were there any witnesses in the Quad Cities area or at Blackhawk State Park during this period?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP132123. Missing person: Joseph E Beranek.
Last known contact: 2024-08-21 in Macomb, McDonough, IL. Circumstances: Beranek left his residence on 8-21-2024.
Beranek's 2006 Toyota sedan was recorded on a LPR in the Quad Cities (Illinois) area on 08-21-2024. Baranek's vehicle was discovered abandoned in the Blackhawk State Park by the Illinois Department of Conservation on 08-26-2024.
Baranek's personal effects were left within the vehicle. An area search of the park as well as the nearby river was conducted with negative results.
Demographics: 46 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 5 in, 175 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Hazel.
Investigating agency: Macomb Police Department | 24-10439 | 2024-08-27.
Timeline of Events
👤
2024-08-21
Joseph Beranek leaves residence
Beranek departed his home in Macomb, Illinois on August 21, 2024.
🚗
2024-08-21
Vehicle recorded on license plate reader
Beranek's 2006 Toyota sedan was detected on an LPR in the Quad Cities area on August 21, 2024.
🔍
2024-08-26
Vehicle discovered abandoned
Illinois Department of Conservation located Beranek's vehicle abandoned at Blackhawk State Park with his personal effects inside.
🕵️
2024-08-27
Investigation initiated
Macomb Police Department opened case MP132123 on August 27, 2024. Area search of park and nearby river conducted with negative results.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 21, 2024
Last Updated:August 17, 2026
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Phone: 3099970404
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Case Information
Incident:August 21, 2024
Last Updated:August 17, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 3099970404
You can remain anonymous