Lake County Coroner's Office

05/25/2026

Come on out for a great cause!

05/25/2026

Pictured with Lake County Coroner David J. Pastrick

05/25/2026

05/17/2026

LAKE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

On Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 0051 hours the Lake County Coroner and Medicolegal Death Investigation team from the Lake County Coroner’s Office were notified and dispatched to Franciscan Health Crown Point

Family of decedent made positive identification at the Lake County Coroner’s Office
Deceased: Navya Gadusu
Age: 25 Race: Indian Gender: Female
Decedent’s address: Resident of Chicago, IL

A forensic autopsy is scheduled to be peroformed at the Lake County Forensic Center, 2900 W. 93rd Ave. Crown Point, IN 46307, on Monday, May 18, 2026
The decedent sustained the following injury: Blunt Force Traumatic Injuries
Manner: Motor Vehicle Accident
Occurrence location: NB I-65 MM 246, Crown Point, IN 46307

Time of death pronounced by emergency room physician at 0016 hours

Agencies involved: Indiana State Police, Tri-Creek EMS

05/15/2026

LAKE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

On Friday, May 15, 2026 at 0031 hrs., a Medicolegal Death Investigation team from the Lake County Coroner’s Office were dispatched to SB I-65 MM 257, Hobart, IN 46342

Deceased: Raniah Simpson
Age: 19 Race: Black Gender: Female
Decedent’s address: Resident of Chicago, IL
The decedent was certified deceased by Lake County Coroner’s Investigator at: 0127 hrs.

The decedent sustained the following injury: Blunt Force Trauma Injuries
Manner: Motor Vehicle Accident
Occurrence location: SB I-65 MM 257, Hobart, IN 46342
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Deceased: Royce Sims
Age: 9 Race: Black Gender: Male
Decedent’s address: Resident of Chicago, IL
The decedent was certified deceased by Lake County Coroner’s Investigator at: 0128 hrs.

The decedent sustained the following injury: Blunt Force Trauma Injuries
Manner: Motor Vehicle Accident
Occurrence location: SB I-65 MM 257, Hobart, IN 46342
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Deceased: Artavius Sims
Age: 5 Race: Black Gender: Male
Decedent’s address: Resident of Chicago, IL
The decedent was certified deceased by Lake County Coroner’s Investigator at: 0129 hrs.

The decedent sustained the following injury: Blunt Force Trauma Injuries
Manner: Motor Vehicle Accident
Occurrence location: SB I-65 MM 257, Hobart, IN 46342
Autopsies were performed at the Lake County Forensic Center, 2900 W. 93rd Ave. Crown Point, IN 46307 on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Agencies involved: Indiana State Police, Hobart Fire Department

A statement from The Lake County Coroner:

“On behalf of Lake County Coroner David J. Pastrick and his staff, we would like to offer our condolences to the families. Our prayers are with you and with all those involved in this tragedy. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Indiana State Police and to the Hobart Fire Department for assisting our office in the safe recovery of the victims.”

05/11/2026

LAKE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

On Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 0036 hours the Lake County Coroner and Medicolegal Death Investigation team from the Lake County Coroner’s Office were notified and dispatched to Franciscan Health Dyer

Family of decedent has made positive identification
Deceased: Albert J. Gonzales
Age: 20 Race: Hispanic Gender: Male
Decedent’s address: Resident of Matteson, IL

A forensic autopsy was performed at the Lake County Forensic Center, 2900 W. 93rd Ave. Crown Point, IN 46307, on Monday, May 11, 2026
The decedent sustained the following injury: Multiple Blunt Force Injuries
Manner: Motor Vehicle Accident
Occurrence location: I-394 SB Ramp from Lincoln Hwy., Sauk Village, IL 60411

Pronounced / certified: by Emergency Room Physician at 1218 hours

Agencies involved: Illinois State Police, Sauk Village Fire Department

05/11/2026

LAKE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

On Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 1023 hours the Lake County Coroner and Medicolegal Death Investigation team from the Lake County Coroner’s Office were notified and dispatched to the railroad tracks at 100 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402

Family of decedent made positive identification at the Lake County Coroner’s Office
Deceased: Joseph Mark Lake
Age: 59 Race: White Gender: Male
Decedent’s address: Resident of Gary, IN

A forensic autopsy was performed at the Lake County Forensic Center, 2900 W. 93rd Ave. Crown Point, IN 46307, on Monday, May 11, 2026
The decedent sustained the following injury: Multiple Blunt Force Injuries
Manner: Train vs. Pedestrian Accident
Occurrence location: railroad tracks at 100 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402

Pronounced / certified: by Lake County Coroner’s Investigator at 1100 hours

Agencies involved: Gary Police Department, Gary Fire Department, Norfolk Southern Railroad Police, Amtrak Police

04/21/2026

DEATH NOTIFICATION
ATTEMPT TO LOCATE FAMILY

Lake County Coroner David J. Pastrick and staff are seeking the help of the community in locating a possible relative/next-of-kin for decedent:
Ronald Lo Bello, white/male, age 72, who passed away on March 29, 2026 at their residence of 100 block of Delaware St., Gary, IN 46407.
We have exhausted all resources at this time, if anyone has any information please call the office at 219-755-3265.

Thank you,
Coroner David J. Pastrick

04/17/2026

🚨 PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT 🚨
Lake County Coroner’s Office

The Lake County Coroner’s Office is issuing an important alert to our community regarding the emergence of a dangerous synthetic opioid known as Cyclorphine (N-Propionitrile Chlororphine).

This substance has recently been identified in regional areas, including Chicago, and is believed to be contributing to a rise in fatal overdoses across the Midwest.

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⚠️ Why This Is Concerning

• Extreme Potency
Cyclorphine is estimated to be significantly more potent than fentanyl. Even an amount smaller than a grain of salt can be fatal.

• Undetectable on Standard Test Strips
This substance may not show up on typical fentanyl test strips, giving users a false sense of safety.

• Reduced Response to Naloxone (Narcan)
Overdoses involving Cyclorphine may require multiple doses of Narcan due to how it interacts with the brain.

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🔍 What to Watch For

Cyclorphine may be present in:

• Powder form – off-white, gray, or tan
• Counterfeit pills – resembling medications like oxycodone (M30) or hydromorphone
• Mixed substances – often combined with he**in, methamphetamine, or “Tranq” (xylazine) without the user’s knowledge

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🛑 Safety Reminder: One Pill Can Kill

Never take medications that are not prescribed directly to you and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy. Illicit drugs and counterfeit pills may contain deadly substances like Cyclorphine.

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📢 If you suspect an overdose:
Call 911 immediately and administer Narcan if available. Quick action can save a life.

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Please share this information to help protect our community.

04/08/2026

LAKE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

On Monday, April 6, 2026 at 1304 hours the Lake County Coroner and Medicolegal Death Investigation team from the Lake County Coroner’s Office were notified and dispatched to Munster Community Hospital

Family of decedent made positive identification at the hospital
Deceased: Tony Pendleton
Age: 59 Race: Black Gender: Male
Decedent’s address: Resident of Lynwood, IL

A forensic autopsy was performed at the Lake County Forensic Center, 2900 W. 93rd Ave. Crown Point, IN 46307, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026

The decedent sustained the following injury: Multiple Blunt Force Injuries
Manner: Homicide (Vehicle vs. Pedestrian)

Occurrence location: Parking Lot of 1145 Ridge Rd., Griffith, IN 46319

Pronounced / certified: by Emergency Room Physician at 1241 hours

Agencies involved: Griffith Police Department, Superior Ambulance Service