Narcan Used to Revive Woman After Being Located by City Police, but One Death Results

A woman is hospitalized, but alive, after Narcan was used to revive her following alleged drug use overnight. However, another person has died also apparently due to drug use.

Effingham City Police Chief Jeff Fuesting said relatives concerned about the wellbeing of the two contacted police shortly after 7am Tuesday. A city detective conducting a separate investigation was able to identify the location of one of the individuals at a local motel. The detective got the room number, but got no response when reaching the room. Other officers arrived and were able to open the motel room door, but found it chained. Fuesting said the room was dark, but his officers were able to determine there were two people inside who did not respond to police.

Once inside the room, a man remained unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was breathing, but not responsive to commands. Eventually, the woman was able to communicate with officers, but as EMS personnel arrived, the woman's condition changed. The EMS crew administered Narcan to the woman and she began to respond. The woman was taken to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital.

The deceased man was 29-year-old Chase Charles, who had an Effingham address, but was currently homeless. The woman involved is Charles' wife, Taylor.

Fuesting was complimentary of the work by his officers. He said, "City officers worked pro-actively to continue their search for the two after the initial notification and did a fantastic job of locating them. We are sad regarding the death of one person involved, but we were able to save one life."

The Effingham City Police Department and the Effingham County Coroner's Office are continuing their investigation into the incident. County Coroner Kim Rhodes said toxicology tests will be conducted to help officially determine the cause of Chase Charles' death.