PEORIA, Ill. – One is a homicide. The other is a suicide.
That is the ruling from Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood on the two bodies found in the basement of a Central Peoria home Thursday, following autopsies.
Harwood says Daniya Washington, 23, and Damarious Matthews, 20, were both pronounced dead at the scene on West Lawndale inbetween Sheridan and North. Based on the listed addresses for the victims, neither lived at the property.
Both were shot, but Matthews’ death was ruled a suicide. Matthews apparently shot himself in the head.
Police are continuing an investigation. Washington’s death would mark Peoria’s 13th homicide of the year.
A GoFundMe account had been set up for Washington prior to her name being officially released to the public.
