In a tragic development, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office has released photos of a person of interest and a vehicle connected to the murder of a bar owner in Momence, Illinois.

Authorities responded to a call at a rural Momence bar near the Illinois-Indiana border on Illinois Route 114 shortly before noon on Monday. The deputies discovered the lifeless body of 30-year-old Courtney M. Drysdale, who was pronounced dead on the scene.

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Drysdale was identified as the proprietor of the establishment, known as The Line, by her friends. She had reportedly opened the bar by herself at 11 a.m. Hailey Gershon, a close friend and coworker, expressed disbelief over who might want to harm Drysdale.

“She was probably the nicest person you could meet,” Gershon shared. “Courtney was always someone you could rely on, always ready to help others, even when dealing with her own challenges. She prioritized the happiness of those around her above her own issues.”

Drysdale leaves behind a fiancé and a young daughter attending school. Having spent many years as a bartender at The Line before taking ownership, she was a familiar and beloved figure among its patrons.

Gershon said Drysdale leaves behind a fiancé and a school-age daughter. Drysdale was a longtime bartender at that bar before becoming the owner and is well known to the patrons there.

The bar The Line posted Monday that it will be closed until further notice.

Tuesday morning, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office released images of a person of interest and a vehicle.

Kankakee County CrimeStoppers is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who can identity the person of interest. Anyone with information can contact CrimeStoppers at (815) 93-CRIME | (815) 932-7463.