Salem Women Who Found Willow Honored

Four Salem women who found the body of seven-year-old murder victim Willow Long south of her Watson home were honored Tuesday by Illinois State Police.

District 12 Commander Kelly Hodge presented the certificates of appreciation to Hattie Williams, her daughter Jamie Thompson, and Thompson's two daughters Frankie Smith and Jonny Smith.

"Despite being turned away due to sheer number of volunteers (when they came to Watson to aid in the search for Willow, they) continued to search the area on their own. The girl's body was found as (they) located a barely visible object in a nearby pond. (Their) persistence and decisive actions were crucial to the criminal case and subsequent arrest of the killer," said Hodge.