Tazewell County Coroner's Office - Charles R. Hanley, Coroner

04/24/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – RURAL PEKIN SHOOTING FATALITIES

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to a residence in the 11000 block of Illinois Route 29 in rural Pekin for two deceased individuals. Authorities were alerted at 4:44 a.m.

Two young men, both 21-years old, Chase Rhodes of Pekin and Dawson Reese of rural Pekin, were pronounced deceased by Coroner Charles R. Hanley.

Autopsies for both will be on Friday.

This case is under investigation by the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services, and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

02/06/2025

The Tazewell County Coroner's Office is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Stacey Kempf, the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office Jail Administrator. She served with great integrity and compassion in her position. Stacey has made a lasting impact on the lives of many. Our sincere condolences to her family.

11/25/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – RURAL MORTON FATALITY

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to a residence in the 27000 block of Lakeland Road in rural Morton for an accident involving a fatality. Authorities were alerted at 7:32 a.m.

Pronounced deceased at the scene at 8:39 a.m. Sunday, November 24, 2024, was 21-year old Morton resident Samson Vlahos.

An autopsy was held today (Monday) and Coroner Charles Hanley states the preliminary autopsy findings show the cause of death was from multiple blunt force injuries sustained from a fall from a structure. The fall appears to be accidental and toxicology testing is pending.

This case is under investigation by the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

11/11/2024

10/29/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Rural Mackinaw Fire Fatality

On Monday, October 28, 2024, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to Mackinaw for a fatality following a shed fire. Authorities were alerted at 6:43 p.m. of the fire.

Pronounced deceased at 8:15 p.m. Monday, October 28, 2024 was 43-year old rural Mackinaw resident Nathan Robertson.

An autopsy was held today (Tuesday) and Coroner Charles Hanley states preliminary autopsy findings show the cause of death was from inhalation of smoke and soot due to the fire.

This case is under investigation by the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Illinois State Police and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

10/19/2024

10/19/2024

10/18/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – UPDATE INTERSTATE 74 FATALITY

Preliminary autopsy findings of a fatality from a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 74 near the 103 mile marker east of the Morton Avenue exit have been completed.

Pronounced deceased at the scene at 11:23 p.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024, was 44-year old Bloomington resident Jason Stephens by Coroner Charles R. Hanley.

An autopsy was held today (Friday) and preliminary autopsy findings show the cause of death was from multiple blunt force injuries due to the motor vehicle collision, and that he was deceased before the vehicle fire. Mr. Stephens was the sole occupant of the pickup truck that he was operating that collided with a semi-truck with trailer. Authorities were alerted at 9:43 p.m. of the collision.

This case remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

10/17/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – INTERSTATE 74 FATALITY

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to Interstate 74 east of the Morton Avenue exit for a two-vehicle collision involving a fatality. Authorities were alerted at 9:43 p.m. of the collision.

Pronounced deceased at the scene at 11:23 p.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024, was the driver of a pickup truck by Tazewell County Coroner Charles R. Hanley. The name is being withheld at this time pending notification to their family.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning and further information will be released following the autopsy.

This case is under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

Assisting at the scene were the Morton Fire Department, Morton Police Department, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, East Peoria Fire Department, and the Illinois Department of Transportation District 4.

09/30/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ~ TOWNLINE ROAD VEHICLE ACCIDENT FATALITY

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to the 21000 block of Townline Road in rural Tremont for a one-vehicle accident involving a fatality. Authorities were alerted at 3:47 a.m. of the accident.

Pronounced deceased at the scene at 4:35 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024, was 41-year-old Jeffrey Flaugher, II of Bloomington. He was the sole occupant of his vehicle that appeared to leave the roadway and crash in a farm field.

An autopsy was conducted this afternoon (Monday) and Coroner Charles Hanley stated the preliminary autopsy findings show the cause of death was from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash.

This case is under investigation by the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

Assisting at the accident scene were Tremont Fire Department and Tremont Rescue.

09/20/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – UPDATE RURAL PEKIN VEHICLE COLLISON FATALITY

Preliminary autopsy findings of a fatality from a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Illinois Route 29 and Thompson Street in rural Pekin have been completed.

Pronounced deceased at the scene at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024 was 62-year old Pekin resident Christie Campbell by Coroner Charles R. Hanley.

An autopsy was held today (Friday) and preliminary autopsy findings show the cause of death was from multiple blunt force injuries due to the motor vehicle collision. Ms. Campbell was the sole occupant of the vehicle that she was operating that collided with a semi-truck with trailer. Authorities were alerted at 9:51 a.m. of the collision.

This case remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

09/19/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – RURAL PEKIN ACCIDENT FATALITY

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to the intersection of Illinois Route 29 and Thompson Street in rural Pekin for a two-vehicle accident involving a fatality. Authorities were alerted at 9:51 a.m. of the accident.

Pronounced deceased at the accident scene at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024, was a 62-year old Pekin woman by Tazewell County Coroner Charles R. Hanley. Her name is being withheld at this time pending notification to her family. The woman was the sole occupant of her vehicle that collided with a semi-truck with trailer.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning and further information will be released following the autopsy.

This case is under investigation by the Illinois State Police, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

Assisting at the accident scene were the Cincinnati Fire Protection District, Pekin Fire Department, AMT Ambulance, South Pekin Police Department, and the Illinois Department of Transportation District 4.

08/30/2024

This Saturday, August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. In 2023, Tazewell County saw 25 fatal overdoses throughout our county. Fentanyl was involved in 16 of the deaths (64%).

08/26/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – UPDATE RURAL GREEN VALLEY ACCIDENT FATALITY

Preliminary autopsy findings of a fatality from a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Towerline Road and Toboggan Avenue in rural Green Valley have been completed.

Pronounced deceased at the scene at 12:29 p.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024 was 90-year old Elmer Papenhause of rural Tremont by Coroner Charles R. Hanley.

An autopsy was held today (Monday) and preliminary autopsy findings show the cause of death was from multiple blunt force injuries due to the motor vehicle collision. Mr. Papenhause was the sole occupant of the pickup truck that he was operating. Four occupants of the other pickup truck were taken to a Peoria hospital. Authorities were alerted at 11:16 a.m. of the accident.

This case remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

08/25/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – RURAL GREEN VALLEY ACCIDENT FATALITY

On Saturday, August 24, 2024, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to the intersection of Towerline Road and Toboggan Avenue in rural Green Valley for a two vehicle accident involving a fatality. Authorities were alerted at 11:16 a.m. of the accident.

Pronounced deceased at the accident scene at 12:29 p.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024 was a rural Tazewell County man. His name is being withheld at this time pending notification to his family.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning and further information will be released following the autopsy by Coroner Charles R. Hanley.

This case remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

08/12/2024

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The Tazewell County Coroner's Office is proud to support the mission of Gift of Hope.

08/09/2024

AUGUST 9, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – UPDATE CATERPILLAR PEORIA PROVING GROUND FATALITY

Preliminary autopsy findings of a fatality from an accident at the Caterpillar Peoria Proving Ground in rural Washington have been completed.

Pronounced deceased at the scene at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024 was 36-year old Justin Perry from Kingsford, Michigan by Coroner Charles R. Hanley. Mr. Perry was a subcontractor working at the Caterpillar facility.

An autopsy was held today (Friday) and preliminary autopsy findings show the cause of death was compressional asphyxia due to the entrapment under an electrical control box.

This case remains under investigation by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.

08/08/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – CATERPILLAR PEORIA PROVING GROUND FATALITY

On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office was contacted to respond to the Caterpillar Peoria Proving Ground in rural Washington for an accident involving a fatality. Authorities were alerted at 8:52 p.m. of the accident.

Pronounced deceased at the accident scene at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024 was a 36-year old Michigan man by Coroner Charles R. Hanley.

An autopsy is scheduled for this Friday and further information will be released following the autopsy.

This case remains under investigation by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tazewell County Coroner’s Office.