05/20/2011 - Report #482 - Victim: Yoko M. Cullen - Location: East St. Louis, IL

MCS Report #482

Classification: Homicide

Requesting Agency: East St. Louis Police Department

Date of Activation: 05/20/2011

Commander and Department: Capt. Jeff Wild, O’Fallon PD

Deputy Report Officer and Department: Lt. Mike Nordstrom, Granite City PD

Victim: Yoko M. Cullen

Suspects: DaQuan D. Barnes, Demarcus D. Barnes, LaTosha A. Cunningham

The East St. Louis Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Yoko Cullen. On the morning of Friday 05/20/2011, Yoko Cullen (age 85) had been reported missing by family members to the Belleville Police Department. That same day at approximately 10:00am, her missing 2008 Mazda3 was located burned out near the intersection of 11th Street and Falling Springs Road in East St. Louis, IL. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard. When the trunk was opened, Cullen’s burned body was located inside the trunk.

As a result of this investigation, the following criminal charges were issued in Cullen’s death:

  • DaQuan Barnes (age 18) - 1st Degree Murder - Bond $3,000,000

  • Demarcus Barnes (age 28 ) - 1st Degree Murder - Bond $3,000,000

  • LaTosha Cunningham (age 37) - 1st Degree Murder - Bond $3,000,000

PastKathy Effan