Coroner Annual Report Showed Fewer Deaths Than Previous Year

The Effingham County Coroner's Office reported that there were fewer deaths in the county during the recently-completed fiscal year than the previous year.

(RHODES)

The County fiscal year runs from December 1 to November 30. There were 368 deaths in Fiscal Year 2019 compared to 395 deaths in Fiscal 2018.

County Coroner Kim Rhodes reported four deaths due to fatal drug overdoses, down from 10 the previous year, and five suicides compared to 11 the previous year, three by gun and two by hanging.

There were 124 deaths in nursing homes, down from 133 the previous year, and 77 deaths of patients in the hospital, down from 80 the prior year. There were 46 deaths in private residences, down from 54, and 41 in the emergency room, up from 34 a year earlier. 19 deaths occurred in assisted living facilities, down from 24 a year earlier.

The report indicates 29,537 prescription pills were destroyed in the last two year, and numerous toxocology samples were destroyed that had been stored in the office and were no longer needed for evidence.

The report also shares that all personal belongings and articles have been returned to the next-of-kin, including cash, wallets, purses, jewelry, cellphones, clothing, credit or debit cards, photos and watches. Rhodes said her office has assisted various agencies, funeral homes and the Illinois Department of Public Health in processing paperwork and special documents to return individuals to their home countries in Ukraine and Mexico.

Rhodes also reported the Coroner's Office spent just over $102,000 during the fiscal year, $25,000 under the office budget amount.