SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Authorities have released the identity of the person whose body was found last week in Forest Park in Springfield.

Last Tuesday evening, Springfield Police responded to the area of Trafton Road for a reported body found. When they arrived, they found a woman dead in the area of Camp Star Angelina.

On Thursday, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office identified the body as 56-year-old Joann Garelli of West Springfield.

The case remains under investigation by the D.A.’s office, in conjunction with the Springfield Police homicide unit.

Western Mass News will continue to follow this story and will have more information as it becomes available.

Copyright 2025. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.

Omaha (Neb.) Millard South offensive lineman Landen Von Seggern has committed to Illinois.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Von Seggern was in Champaign over the weekend. He chooses the Illini over the likes of Iowa, Kansas and Kansas State.

Von Seggern becomes commit No. 4 for head coach Bret Bielema and his staff. Offensive line coach Bart Miller was the lead recruiter and was on him hard since offering in September.

“The coaches, the feeling of having Coach Bielema as my head coach for my college career is a different feeling,” Von Seggern told On3. “Knowing that he has sent the most linemen to the NFL in college football, and that being my final goal gives me a huge push towards my decision. 

“And I love the way Coach Miller coaches. The way that him and I were talking football, it felt like I was already on the team and we were getting ready for the next game.”

Von Seggern felt very comfortable with the culture at Illinois as well.

“From the religious aspect, I want to thank the Lord for helping me on making my decision,” he said. “I have known the team pastor since I was young. 

“The best thing about Illini is how they represent family. Most schools have players just playing for themselves. But Illinois has players not declaring for the draft to come back and play with their team. And that has a big impact on me, having that feeling that I have the same chance to do that with my future teammates. 

“I have found my family and I am here to stay!”

As a junior Seggern helped Millard South to a state championship. He’s tabbed by On3 as the No. 1 recruit in the state of Nebraska and the No. 46 interior offensive line in the country.

A look at what the Illini have in the fold already.

Illinois has added to its family with a 2026 commitment. Omaha (Neb.) Millard South offensive lineman Landen Von Seggern announced his commitment to the Illini on Wednesday.

The Nebraska native visited Illinois on Jan. 11 and couldn’t have been more impressed with the visit.

“It was great, the thing that stood out the most to me was the hospitality,” Von Seggern said.

“The coaches were talking to me and treating me as if I was already a part of the team and the atmosphere was crazy at the basketball game. They have a very nice fan base and that is what made me want to be a part of the famILLy!”

Von Seggern selected Illinois over the seven scholarship offers that he holds. He took visits to Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas. But being in Champaign gave him the feeling that its where he needs to play college football.

Another thing Illinois had going for it was his relationship with coach Bret Bielema and offensive line coach Bart Miller. Bielema’s history with offensive linemen speaks for itself but Von Seggern has built a quick rapport with the pair.

“The relationship has grown very well,” Von Seggern said. “Especially for me only being up there three times. It felt like they had been my coaches already. I’m just super excited to get to work with them.”

Now the lineman’s college decision is out of the way and he can enjoy his senior year with his friends and family without worrying about where he will commit.

“The thing I’m looking forward to most about being part of the Illini is the atmosphere and the relationships between the coaches and players,” Von Seggern said. ‘FamILLy is a big thing at Illinois but they don’t just say it, they act upon it and live by it!”