The search for missing NIU student Antinette “Toni” Keller has been reclassified as a death investigation.

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen said at a press briefing Saturday night that the change was made after human remains were found by the DeKalb County Major Case Squad in Prairie Park, south of Route 38 in DeKalb, the last place Keller was known to be headed.

Items were found near the remains that are “consistent with property belonging to Keller,” Feithen said.

Feithen said it couldn’t be confirmed whether the remains were Keller’s, as they had yet to be identified.

Specific items that were found weren’t named either.

Feithen said he couldn’t positively confirm how long the remains had been in Praire Park.

The Keller family was notified of the change in investigation prior to the press briefing, Feithen said.

Feithen said the remains were found on land, not water, and were located in a more dense area of the park.

“A portion of Prairie Park remains cordoned off as officers continue investigation,” Feithen said.

Feithen said investigators are pursuing leads in the case and are seeking information about suspicious activity or persons on or about the time Keller was reported was missing.

She was last seen around noon Oct. 14.

Anyone with information related to the case is to call 815-748-8407, 815-753-8477 or DeKalb County Crime Stoppers 815-895-3272.