The mother of two boys whose bodies were found in the back seat of their father's car over the weekend had their last names changed to match hers.
Family friend and spokeswoman Brandi Tuley, who read an emotional statement on Monday from the boys' mother, Amy Leichtenberg, said name changes for 9-year-old Duncan and 7-year-old Jack were finalized Tuesday.
Tuley said that Leichtenberg did not want the boys buried with the last name Connolly.
It's unclear if the name-change process had been in place or if a judge granted the petition to the court because of the circumstances.
On Saturday, the bodies of Duncan and Jack were found in rural Putnam County. Their father was found dead not far from where his car was left. The discovery brought to a close a three-week search for the man and the boys, precipitated by Michael Connolly's abduction of his sons following a weekend visitation.
Amy Leichtenberg filed orders of protection against Michael Connolly more than once after his repeated physical and emotional abuse in the later years of their marriage.
The fund created intially to help locate the boys has been changed to a memorial fund to help cover funeral expenses:
Duncan & Jack Leichtenberg Memorial Fund
Busey Bank
301 E Cedar Street
LeRoy, IL 61752
Web site
Funeral Arrangements:
Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Christian Church in LeRoy
Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. at Christian Church in LeRoy
