Skeletal Remains Found in McHenry House; Owner Arrested in Las Vegas

The owner of a McHenry-area house where skeletal remains of an adult female were found earlier this week was arrested Thursday in Las Vegas.

William J. Ross, 62, owner of the house at 518 Country Club Rd., McHenry, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 7, in Las Vegas, Nev., and charged with concealment of a homicidal death, a Class 3 felony, according the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 2:18 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, sheriff’s officers responded to Ross’ house at 518 N. Country Club Road in unincorporated McHenry, where they discovered skeletal remains of a person who appeared to have been dead for some time, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators learned the house had been unoccupied for more than 18 months. A caretaker hired to look after the exterior of the property called police after discovering the remains inside the house.

Sheriff’s Office investigators and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office are currently working together on this joint investigation. An autopsy was performed Thursday, and no definitive cause of death had been determined at the time of this release.

The victim is an adult female, and identification is pending.

“Due to the nature of this investigation, we anticipate it will take time for further information to be released,” a Sheriff’s Office news release stated. “Once the identity of the victim is confirmed, next of kin will be notified. The identity of the victim will then be released.”

Ross is currently being held at Clark County Correctional Facility, Las Vegas, Nev., pending extradition. His bond has been set at $100,000.

Sheriff’s authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.