On Sunday, April 14th, the Springfield Police Department (SPD) was contacted by the resident of 2128 S. Grand Ave. The resident was remodeling and located in the crawlspace under the house a purse with personal documents inside with the name “Michelle Bianco.” SPD was aware the Sheriff’s Office had a missing person case on Bianco, and contacted the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies and Detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation. Because the purse was located in the soil under the house, the Illinois State Police were needed to assist in processing this type of scene.
On Monday, April 15th, ISP began their forensic processing of the cellar around 10:40 a.m. At approximately 12:03 p.m., they discovered skeletal remains and advised the Sheriff's Office Detectives. At 12:05 p.m., an Anthropologist from the Illinois State Museum was requested to assist in the identification of the remains.
After a positive ID that the bones were human, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon was contacted and responded to the scene. Coroner Allmon took custody of the remains and returned the scene to Detectives. Coroner Allmon confirmed to the Sheriff's Office the remains were that of Bianco.
The investigation of Bianco’s death continues.
Michelle Bianco was last seen and heard from on April 5th, 2008 at her cousin’s home at the 2100 block of South Grand Avenue East in Springfield. At the time Michelle had blond shoulder length hair and blue eyes. She was described as being a white female standing 5’7” tall and weighing 112 pounds. She was reported missing by her boyfriend, who discovered her missing when he returned home from an out-of-town trip on April 6, 2008. No family or friends have spoken to her since she was last seen at her cousin’s home.
Police received information that on the evening of April 5, 2008 Michelle, also known as Shelly, was seen getting into a black Pontiac with a sunroof which was driven by a white male with a small build, black hair over his ears, and an unshaven face. The driver appeared to know Michelle and offered her a ride home which she willingly accepted. She had not been seen or heard from since.
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Original Story 4/15/24
Skeletal remains were found at a house in Springfield, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell confirmed Monday afternoon. The residence is located on East South Grand Avenue near South Wheeler Avenue.
According to Campbell, officers from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office visited the residence on Sunday to retrieve personal items related to a cold case. When they returned on Monday, law enforcement discovered the remains. Campbell stated that it was unclear whether the remains were connected to the ongoing case; And as of now, the remains have not been removed from the residence.
The belongings found Sunday are linked to the 2008 cold case involving Michelle "Shelly" Bianco. Michelle Bianco was last seen and heard from on April 5th, 2008 at her cousin’s home at the 2100 block of South Grand Avenue East in Springfield. At the time Michelle had blond shoulder length hair and blue eyes. She was described as being a white female standing 5’7” tall and weighing 112 pounds. She was reported missing by her boyfriend, who discovered her missing when he returned home from an out-of-town trip on April 6, 2008. No family or friends have spoken to her since she was last seen at her cousin’s home.
Police received information that on the evening of April 5, 2008 Michelle, also known as Shelly, was seen getting into a black Pontiac with a sunroof which was driven by a white male with a small build, black hair over his ears, and an unshaven face. The driver appeared to know Michelle and offered her a ride home which she willingly accepted. She has not been seen or heard from since.