GRANITE CITY, Ill. – Two people are in custody and a third person is at large in connection with a murder investigation in Granite City, Illinois.

The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated on April 24 after the discovery of a body that morning.

Police were called to Alton Street at Pontoon Road around 9:30 a.m. after a bystander found a body while walking their dog.

The deceased was identified as Kenneth L. Whitehorn. He was 58.

According to Sgt. Andrew Pierson, a Major Case Squad spokesman, nearly 30 investigators spent the last five days following up on more than 90 leads before making arrests.

On Monday, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office charged DeWayne Franklin of St. Louis, Brittany D. Howard of St. Louis, and Michael McCollum of Florissant in connection with Whitehorn’s killing.

Brittany L. Howard (Courtesy: Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis)

Franklin, 41, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of being a felon in possession of a weapon, and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons.

Howard, 37, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action.

McCollum, 73, was charged with two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons.

Franklin and McCollum are in custody at the St. Louis County Justice Center. Howard remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Howard’s whereabouts is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.