WEST FRANKFORT, IL — Franklin County Sheriff David Bartoni Tuesday afternoon released the identity of the victim in last Thursday night’s stabbing in rural West Frankfort. It’s 50-year-old Dennis L. Martin of West Frankfort. Martin ran a home construction business known as DL Martin Solutions based in West Frankfort.

Sheriff Bartoni says 33-year-old Heath M. Dunning of Eldorado is still being held in the Franklin County Jail in the stabbing death of Martin. Dunning is charged with first-degree murder. His bail is set at $2 million.

The sheriff says the investigation continues. Sheriff’s deputies received a report of a stabbing in rural West Frankfort around 8:40 last Thursday night. When deputies arrived, they found Martin suffering from a stab wound. He succumb to his injuries at the scene. Dunning was taken into custody at the scene.

A subsequent investigation the next day resulted in Dunning being charged with first-degree murder.