The search for a missing Braidwood teenager ended tragically Monday, when the body of 19-year-old Erich Alley was discovered in a ditch along Bergera Road in Braidwood.

According to Braidwood acting Police Chief Brandon Myers, the discovery was made around 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25. A resident out for a walk saw Erich's body on the ground at Bergera and Stacey Court and called police.

Police were able to locate Erich's friends, but said the pair was uncertain where or when they all separated. According to his friends, Erich may have been under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of his disappearance. Myers said early information indicated that Erich was at a party the night he went missing, but the investigation was unable to verify that report. The investigation into Erich's death is ongoing.

"There were no visible signs of trauma or injury and we do not suspect any foul play at this time, although we are continuing the investigation," Myers said. "The next step is the medical examination, which will be sometime Wednesday. Depending on the results we will re-interview witnesses."

Myers said the department had hoped for a different outcome, but the longer Erich was gone, the less likely it seemed that he would be found alive.

"This is a sad end to an exhaustive search and investigation," Myers said. "The police department members were invested heavily in Erich's safe return and we feel for the loss experienced by Erich's family."

An autopsy is scheduled by the Will County Coroner for Wednesday.

Myers said the teen was laying in approximately 6 inches of water in a ditch that was approximately 5 feet from the roadway. The ditch is nearly 3 feet lower than the road.

Myers said the area where Erich was found was not one that was searched previously, but was just one block away from where Will County search teams had conducted searches earlier this month. Myers said Erich was found in an area that does not have a lot of road traffic because it is a semi-secluded cul-de-sac.

"We believe that he was covered by snow on the night he went missing and then covered more as the plows cleared the roadways," Myers reported.

Erich was last seen on Dec. 30, when he left his house on Francis Street with two friends. After trying to contact their son, Erich's parents reported him missing.


Remembering her son
The death of her only son is a crushing blow for Erich Alley's mother, Betty Brown. But Brown is already looking for ways to ensure that her son's death is not in vain.

To that end, Brown's first request is for people to do whatever they can to make life better for the less fortunate and fight drug problems in Braidwood.

Brown believes that Erich, who may have been taking a mixture of alcohol and sleeping pills when he died, was a small part of a large problem in Braidwood - growing drug use. Brown said she wants people to look for ways to fight back.

"I don't want flowers, I want money to go for something good," Brown said. "I think that people can learn from it."

Brown is uncertain which programs people should donate to, but would be happy with any contributions made to drug resistance and prevention programs, especially those that benefit Braidwood. Brown said she would be checking with the school district and possibly the Reed-Custer Healthy Communities Coalition to find the best place to donate any money that is given to her or her family.

In addition, Brown said she'd like to see people make donations to the food pantry in Braidwood, to assist them in helping out the less fortunate, something her son would want. Another option would be any organization that benefits animals.

"I'd like the money to go to the right places," Brown said. "Erich would want money to go to an animal shelter because of his cat. He's very big on animal rescue and so he'd want something like that. Don't send flowers, send money to these organizations."

Erich had a short history with law enforcement. He was on probation for an incident last year where he and friend were caught setting trash can fires. Brown said that even though Erich might have been doing the wrong things the night he died, she knew he was ready to make a change.

"I've been on the phone with his friend who [wanted] to get an apartment together. He said he wanted to get somewhere where he could start fresh, and he knew Erich did too."

If anything can be learned from her tragedy, Brown hopes other parents will stand up and take notice.

"I think it will bring awareness to parents," Brown said. "They should pay attention to their kids and who they're hanging out with. I hope that's the lesson.

"The whole thing is really hard. He's my only child. I devoted my life to him. Parents devote their lives to their kids. It's going to leave a big empty spot. What are you going to do without your boy?"

Erich's funeral will be held Saturday, Jan. 30, at R.W. Patterson Funeral Home in Braidwood. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the service immediately following. Brown said that Erich will be cremated, because she feels that sometimes cemeteries are too much of a disconnect from a loved one's life. Brown is also relying on her faith, and her firm belief that God has a plan for everyone. Brown said she would rather remember 19 years of good times with Erich, than focus on his death.

"Every year we would ride on a different roller coaster," Brown said. "One year we went to two different roller coasters in Pennsylvania. It was awesome. We rated each one. We shared all of that kind of stuff and it was great. The last time I was on a roller coaster was with my son. He's my kid and he always will be. He's alright."