PEORIA, Ill. – She calls it a “first of its kind” conviction for her office — a man convicted of murder, while the body hasn’t been found.
Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos put out a statement the day after Allen Schimmelpfennig, 30, was convicted of Concealment of a Homicidal Death and First-Degree Murder.
The body of Gabriel Cook, 32, has still not been found, more than two years after he was first reported missing.
Hoos says it came down to what she called the “strong circumstantial evidence” presented at trial.
She says Cook was last seen the day he was reported missing in March of 2021, which was also the last time Cook had a daily conversation with his girlfriend.
A Jeep was found that day on fire that Cook used, and blood later found in a storage locker matched Cook.
CLICK HERE to read Hoos’ full statement on Schimmelpfennig’s conviction (PDF document).
