Austin Peters
Coroner
Phone: (217) 825-1414
Fax: (217) 777-3011
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Emergency Number:
(217) 824-4961
Mailing Address:
101 S. Main Street
Taylorville, IL 62568
The Coroner investigates all sudden, natural and violent deaths in the County, which appear to be accidental, homicidal, or suicidal to determine the cause and manner of death. The Coroner is an elected office serving for a four year term. The Coroner’s office is a law enforcement agency, which, as part of the system of checks and balances, investigates deaths that occur in the county elected.
Fees
| Coroner's Permit to Cremate | $100.00 |
| Autopsy Reports | $50.00 |
| Toxicology Report | $25.00 |
| Coroner's Inquest Transcript | $3.00 per page |
Duties & Responsibilities
1. Coordinates the investigation and determines the circumstances, manner, and cause of all violent, sudden or unusual deaths.
2. Selects the deputy coroners and other personnel as needed.
3. Supervises and instructs employees
4. Orders and sees that autopsies are attended by either Law Enforcement Agency or personnel of her office or both.
5. Prepares annual budget request for office.
6. Notifies next of kin.
7. Completes Death Certificates and Cremation Certificates.
8. Orders and conducts Inquest if necessary.
9. Conducts meetings and conferences with Law Enforcement Agencies, attorneys, physicians, hospital personnel, funeral directors, news media, ambulance attendants and public.
10. Prepares reports and press releases. Makes sure media does not release names and addresses until next-of-kin are notified.
11. Gives presentations at schools, seminars, and service clubs, nursing homes and hospital staffs.
12. Requests organ donations from next-of-kin and sees that those wishes are carried out.
13. Procurement of blood and urine samples for the purpose of toxicology tests.
A coroner’s inquest is neither a civil nor a criminal trial proceeding. It is simply an inquiry into the cause and manner of an individual’s death.
An inquest is conducted by the coroner with six people. The inquest takes place in the Christian County Courthouse located in Taylorville.
The purpose of the inquest is to present pertinent information concerning the unnatural death of the victim in order for the jury to arrive at a manner of death. The cause of death is often readily apparent and obvious, based on the facts, circumstances, medical evidence and in some cases, toxicology and autopsy results. The real essence of the jurors’ responsibility is to establish the manner of death (suicide, homicide, accident, natural or undetermined).
The coroner will summon to the inquest the individuals who have pertinent information concerning the incident. This often includes, but is not limited to, the person who found the deceased, witnesses to the incident, those involved, police officers and investigators, and in some instances, a direct relative. All individuals summoned will present testimony (answer questions) to the jury. Any professional reports (autopsy, toxicology, x-ray and laboratory reports) will be presented at that time. These reports are not released to the public until the inquest procedures are concluded.
All information and testimony at the inquest is recorded and/or transcribed by a stenographer. The inquest is open to the public and may not be closed pursuant to any requests to do so. Anyone may attend proceedings.
Upon completion of the testimony, the coroner’s jury will deliberate in private. They may request additional testimony, evidence, or conference, as they deem necessary. When the jury has concluded their deliberations, they will issue a verdict through the foreman as to the cause and manner of death (accident, homicide, natural, suicide, or undetermined).