Crime & Safety

Update: Coroner Says Fall Not Cause of Death for Chesterfield Man

An autopsy performed on Michael Heney revealed that the injuries suffered by the 20-year-old when he fell at a party on New Year's Eve were minor.

Update 2:26 p.m.: While the cause of death for 20-year-old Chesterfield resident Michael Heney was still not determined following an autopsy Wednesday, authorities said it was not as a result of a fall. 

Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn said Heney suffered a cut to the forehead and a broken nose when he apparently fell and hit his head during a New Year's Eve party at a residence in Edwardsville. 

"The injuries are superficial, there is no obvious cause of death," Nonn said. 

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Initially reports said 911 responders found Heney unresponsive and then later pronounced him dead after he was rushed to Anderson Hospital. 

Nonn said his officer is now waiting on the results of a toxicology report, which could take 4-6 weeks. 

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The incident is being investigated by the Edwardsville Police Department. 

Original story: Illinois authorities are investigating the death of a young Chesterfield man who passed away New Year's Eve night. 

KMOX reported Tuesday that 20-year-old Michael Heney was found outside an Edwardsville home around 10 p.m. after allegedly falling and hitting his head near the residence's back porch. 

At first, friends tried to take Heney to an urgent care facility, only to find it closed. They then called 911 and emergency responders arrived and transported an unresponsive Heney to Anderson Hospital in Maryville. 

Heney was pronounced dead at the hospital, but the cause of death is unknown. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. 


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