Murder/update To Hernandez Missing

On Wednesday January 4, 2012 family members of the Francisco Hernandez came to the Winnebago County Justice Center to report him missing.

Hernandez is 52yrs old (DOB 11-14-59) and lived on Shelburne in Rockford.

According to family members Hernandez was last seen on Tuesday 1-3-12 when he left home in the afternoon to collect rent for rental property. No contact has been made since that time.

When Hernandez left home he was driving a white 2004 Chevrolet Pick-up with Illinois 19128T. The vehicle has lettering on the sides with F&S Landscaping. This is a business owned by Hernandez. This vehicle has since been recovered in Crystal Lake Illinois, abandoned.

Hernandez was described as a Hispanic male, 5’6” 180lbs. He was wearing a yellow work jacket, gray polo shirt, blue jeans and work boots.

An intense investigation was initiated by Detectives of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department.

Information developed during the course of the investigation led to the discovery of Francisco Hernandez’ body on the late evening of Tuesday 1-10-12. His body was found in a barn in an abandoned farm house off of Edson Road in Ogle County, Illinois. Trauma was noted to the body and Hernandez is the victim of an apparent murder.

The Ogle County Sheriff’s Department is assisting in the investigation and an autopsy will be conducted in Ogle County. At this point one arrest has been made. Rafael J. Lopez-Cardona 29yrs old(DOB 10-23-82) of Rockford has been charged with Concealing a Homicide. He is in the Winnebago County Jail. The charge against Cardona is merely an accusation. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. (photo not available at this time)

The investigation is on-going.

Deputy Chief Dominic Iasparro
319-6416