Edgar County Coroner's Office

Edgar County Coroner's Office Coroner: Scott Barrett
Deputies : Pete Templeton, Jeremy Neal, Ray Young, Josh Mills, Trinity Tingley

05/23/2026

Information release - Edgar County Coroner

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details on a mowing accident that has resulted in the death of an Edgar County man.

911 dispatchers were notified at 12:10 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026. The caller stated that he had found an employee of Eagle Ridge Golf Course unresponsive and pinned underneath a mower in a pond and needed help.

Horizon Health Ambulance, Paris Fire Department, Paris Police Department, and the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department all responded to the call. Upon arrival it was determined to dispatch the coroner.

Jay L. Roush, 64, of Vermilion, Illinois, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Upon investigation, it was determined that another employee of Eagle Ridge Golf Course went looking for Mr. Roush after he was unable to reach him by phone. He and the zero-turn mower he was on were ultimately located in approximately three feet of water. It is unknown at this time what caused the mower to enter the pond.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Springfield, Illinois, by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Nate Patterson.

The incident remains under investigation by the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department and the Edgar County Coroner.

05/18/2026

Information Release- Edgar County Coroner

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details of a Sunday evening vehicle accident on Illinois Highway 49, approximately two and a half miles south of Brocton.

911 dispatchers were notified at 8:43 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2026. The caller stated that he had been involved in an accident and that help was needed.

The Edgar County Sheriff’s Department, Oakland Ambulance, Brocton Fire Department, and Illinois State Police all responded to the scene where it was determined to summon the coroner.

Heidi N. Rothermel, 36, of Brocton, Illinois was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident occurred when a southbound 2013 Toyota Prius, with three occupants, struck a deer. The force of the collision caused the deer to be thrown into the path of and through the windshield of a northbound 2012 GMC Acadia driven by Rothermel.

Rothermel’s car continued down the roadway for a short distance and ultimately came to stop in the field on the east side of the road.

All three occupants of the Toyota Prius were uninjured and refused treatment at the scene. Rothermel was the only occupant of the GMC Acadia.

04/21/2026

INFORMATION RELEASE - Edgar County Coroner's Office

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details on the death of a 46-year-old Paris man who was found unresponsive at the home of a friend on the night of April 19, 2026.

A 911 call came in at 9:39 p.m. The caller stated that his friend was unresponsive and he needed help.

The Paris Police Department, Paris Fire Department, and Horizon Health Ambulance were all on the scene within minutes of the call where they determined the need to dispatch the coroner.

Dustin P. Ferris was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cause of death is pending the outcome of toxicology testing.

Our office is grateful for and appreciative of the hard work and dedication that our Edgar County and Paris dispatchers ...
04/14/2026

Our office is grateful for and appreciative of the hard work and dedication that our Edgar County and Paris dispatchers show every day.

Thank you for all you do for our office and everyone else you serve.

03/25/2026

FOLLOW UP to February 22, 2026, INFORMATION RELEASE

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released the cause of death of a 51-year-old Paris man.

A 911 call came in at 3:21 a.m. on Sunday, February 22nd. The caller stated that her friend was unresponsive and she needed help.

The Paris Police Department, Paris Fire Department, and Horizon Health Ambulance were all on the scene within minutes of the call. First responders determined the need to dispatch the coroner.

Rodney G. Rodrick was pronounced dead at the scene.

Toxicology testing determined the cause of death was combined toxic effects of fentanyl, he**in, and methamphetamine.

03/17/2026

INFORMATION RELEASE - Edgar County Coroner's Office

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details on the death of an 84-year-old rural Ridge Farm man.

A 911 call came in at 8:51 a.m. on March 16, 2026. The caller stated he had gone to his father’s house to visit him and upon arrival found a fire inside the garage along with his unresponsive father.

Neal EMS, Chrisman Fire Department, Ridge Farm Fire Department, Horizon Health Ambulance, and the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department all responded to the call.

Michael E. Nail was transported to the emergency room of Horizon Health Paris Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was conducted Tuesday morning in Springfield, Illinois, by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Nate Patterson.

Preliminary findings of the autopsy show his death is consistent with a natural death occurring prior to the start of the fire.

Evidence at the scene suggests Mr. Nail was sitting in the garage smoking a cigarette when he experienced a fatal cardiac event causing him to lose consciousness. In doing so he dropped his cigarette onto flammable cloth materials causing them to ignite.

03/13/2026

FOLLOW UP to February 15, 2026, INFORMATION RELEASE

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released the cause of death for a 54-year-old Paris woman.

A 911 call came in at 4:15 p.m. on February 15, 2026. The caller stated that his girlfriend was unresponsive and he needed help.

The Paris Police Department, Horizon Health Ambulance, and Paris Fire Department were all on the scene within minutes of the call.

Mindy J. Deweese was transported to the Emergency Room of Horizon Health Paris Community Hospital where she passed away.

Findings from the autopsy and toxicology testing show that the cause of death was combined toxic effects of fentanyl, he**in, methamphetamine, hydroxyzine, clonazepam, and alprazolam.

02/23/2026

INFORMATION RELEASE – EDGAR COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE

Re: FOLLOW UP to February 21, 2026 vehicle accident fatality

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released additional details on a Saturday afternoon multiple vehicle accident at the intersection of Edgar County Roads 11 (Shiloh Road) and 8 (Horace - Brocton Road).

911 dispatchers were notified at 4:37 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026. The caller stated that she had witnessed a two vehicle accident occur and that emergency services were needed.

Edgar County Sheriff’s Department, Horizon Health Ambulance, Neal EMS, Oakland Ambulance, Brocton Fire Department, Hume Fire Department, Illinois State Police, Air Evac helicopter, and Air Life helicopter all responded to the scene where it was determined to summon the coroner.

The accident occurred when a 2012 maroon Ford Expedition, with 4 occupants, was traveling southbound on Edgar County 11 (Shiloh Road) and failed to stop at a stop sign.

The Ford Expedition struck a 2019 blue Ford Escape, with a single occupant, that was traveling westbound on Edgar County 8 (Horace - Brocton Road).

The impact of the crash caused the southbound Ford Expedition to roll over and land on its roof.

Michelle Vance, 55, of Murdock, Illinois was pronounced dead in the emergency room of Horizon Health Paris Community Hospital. She was a back seat passenger in the Ford Expedition.

All other occupants of both vehicles were transported from the scene for medical treatment with non-life threatening injuries

The accident remains under investigation by the Edgar County Sheriff’s department and the Edgar County Coroner.

02/23/2026

INFORMATION RELEASE - Edgar County Coroner's Office

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details on the death of a 51-year-old Paris man who was found unresponsive at the home of a friend on the morning of February 22, 2026.

A 911 call came in at 3:21 a.m. The caller stated that her friend was unresponsive and she needed help.

The Paris Police Department, Paris Fire Department, and Horizon Health Ambulance were all on the scene within minutes of the call. First responders determined the need to dispatch the coroner.

Rodney G. Rodrick was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cause of death is pending the outcome of toxicology testing.

02/22/2026

INFORMATION RELEASE – EDGAR COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released preliminary details on a Saturday afternoon multiple vehicle accident at the intersection of Edgar County Roads 11 (Shiloh Road) and 8 (Horace - Brocton Road), that has resulted in one fatality.

911 dispatchers were notified at 4:37 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026. The caller stated that she had witnessed a two vehicle accident occur and that emergency services were needed.

Edgar County Sheriff’s Department, Horizon Health Ambulance, Neal EMS, Oakland Ambulance, Brocton Fire Department, Hume Fire Department, Illinois State Police, Air Evac helicopter, and Air Life helicopter all responded to the scene where it was determined to summon the coroner.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of extended family.

The accident remains under investigation by the Edgar County Sheriff’s department and the Edgar County Coroner.

12/18/2025

Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett has released details on the death of an off duty deputy of the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department.

911 dispatchers were notified at 3:28 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

The caller stated that he had been attempting to locate Jordan C. Neill, 28, of Chrisman, following concerns that others had expressed about his wellbeing. The caller stated that he had located Mr. Neill outside of his vehicle in Payne Cemetery, north of Brocton, and he was unresponsive.

The Edgar County Sheriff’s Department responded to the call. Upon their arrival, it was determined to dispatch the coroner. Mr. Neill was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy was conducted Thursday morning in Springfield, Illinois, by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Nate Patterson.

All available evidence is consistent with a suicidal death.

The incident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Edgar County Coroner.

Address

12645 East 950th Road
Paris, IL
61944

Telephone

+12174654166

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Edgar County Coroner's Office posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Edgar County Coroner's Office:

Shortcuts

Share

Category