MCS Report #470
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: East Alton Police Department
Date of Activation: 11/04/2010
Commander and Department: Capt. Brad Wells, Madison County Sheriff’s Department
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Deputy Chief Otis Steward, Wood River PD
Victim: Crystal M. Terpening
Suspect: Joshua J. Tharp
The East Alton Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Crystal Terpening. At approximately 7:45am, police officers responded to the 600 block of West St. Louis Avenue for a report of human remains found in a wooded area. A construction crew working in the area had discovered the remains. The remains were determined to be Crystal Terpening (age 26). Crystal had been reported missing on 10-23-2010 after not being seen since 10-12-2010.
As a result of this investigation, Joshua Tharp (age 27) was charged with 1st Degree Murder, Dismembering a Human Body and Concealment of a Homicidal Death in Crystal’s death.
