JOLIET – Illinois State Police, state crime scene investigators and the FBI spent Thursday digging at a Joliet home in connection with the 1990 disappearance of a former Will County sheriff’s deputy.

Since about 9 a.m., neighbors said, law enforcement personnel were excavating a portion of a residential concrete basement slab at 100 S. Margaret St., near the intersection of West Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue.

“The dig is being conducted in response to new leads provided in the missing persons case of Robin Abrams,” an Illinois State Police news release stated. “The residents of the house are not involved in the case and are being temporarily relocated until the dig is complete.”

Officials at the scene Thursday evening said no further information would be released Thursday, and work at the scene would resume Friday morning.

Will County Coroner Patrick K. O’Neil said Thursday afternoon he had not been contacted by authorities about the dig, and that his office would be contacted only if remains are found.

Abrams last was seen Oct. 4, 1990, on Goodenow Road near her family’s Beecher home, according to Herald-News files.

On Oct. 5, her car was found locked, with the keys in the ignition, in residential Harvey. Her purse was discovered a few blocks from her car.

The case was transferred from the sheriff’s office to state police days after Abrams’ disappearance because it was multijurisdictional and because there was speculation it might have been connected with people affiliated with the sheriff’s office, Herald-News files state.

At one point in the investigation, a report stated that Abrams could be buried in a Joliet home’s foundation, but after months of investigating the home, nothing was found.

Two years before her disappearance, Abrams ended a short relationship with a man who at the time was the head of the sheriff’s auxiliary police and was married, according to Herald-News files.

After the breakup, she was terminated from the sheriff’s office.

After her firing, her former lover filed a criminal complaint against her alleging harassment, but it was dismissed. Her family has claimed her ex-lover and others connected with the sheriff’s office harassed her after her dismissal, subjecting her to physical violence and unfair imprisonment.

Abrams obtained an order of protection against her former lover and filed a lawsuit contesting her firing, in which her paramour was listed as a defendant.

One of the first hearings in the lawsuit was scheduled for 18 days after she disappeared, Herald-News files state.

Abrams’ ex-lover and a male relative of his were considered people of interest in the case, but neither were charged, according to Herald-News files.

Abrams’ sister, Jody Abrams Walsh of Crestwood, arrived outside the home late Thursday afternoon.

Abrams Walsh said she was made aware of “credible information” from Illinois State Police that took authorities to the home. Abrams Walsh said a cadaver dog “hit” on the property.

The home was investigated before, but she believes it wasn’t conducted thoroughly enough.

“The people that did this to her get to go to birthdays, anniversaries and live out their life like nothing happened,” Abrams Walsh said. “Something happened. They murdered my sister, and I want to bring her home.”

Neighbor Marissa Diaz said her family has lived in the area three or four years. She said Thursday was the third straight day they’ve seen authorities at the home, but it was the first day to have so many people at the scene.

“We woke up and saw a street full of CSI cars,” Diaz said. “That’s crazy. Who would’ve thought, right next door?”

Diaz said the neighbors bought the home last year and did extensive remodeling. The cement driveway still looks freshly done.

A resident of the house appeared to have returned home midafternoon Thursday, but an official waved off reporters as they approached the person’s car.