OFFICE OF THE CORONER

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
202 S. Art Bartell Rd.
Urbana, Illinois 61802

DUANE E. NORTHRUP (217) 384-3888

County Coroner FAX: (217) 384-1290

NEWS RELEASE

April 19, 2017

Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup is releasing information regarding the death
early this morning of a male who has tentatively been identified as a 21 year old
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana student. The students family members have
been notified of the death however; release of the students identity is pending
confirmation through dental comparison by the coroners office. Positive identification
through dental comparison may take several days to complete.

The coroners office was notified at 3:02 AM today of a body discovered on fire on the
roof of the Krannert Center located at 500 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois.
University of Illinois Police on the scene requested the coroner to respond to the scene.
Upon coroner arrival, the decedent was confirmed to be a male with fatal injuries
consistent with severe burns over his entire body. The decedent was pronounced dead at
4:00 AM by coroner personnel.

Preliminary investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department and the coroner
indicates the male subject poured gasoline over his body and ignited it causing severe
burns to his entire body. Preliminary results from the autopsy, performed today, revealed
inhalation burns to the airway and lungs as a result of the fire. Toxicology results are
pending. The investigation into the circumstances of this death are active and ongoing by
the University of Illinois Police and the Champaign County Coroner at this time. No
official determination will be made until the investigation is completed.
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