Body of Shelby County Coroner discovered in Lake Mattoon in hunting accident | WCIA.com
12/07/2024
The body of 67-year-old Shelby County Coroner, Brad Phegley, was found in Lake Mattoon after an apparent hunting accident.
On Dec. 6 at 2:49 p.m., the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a male subject floating in Lake Mattoon near 3526E and 850 North Road in Shelby County. The caller was a waterfowl hunting partner of the victim who he found near their decoys in front of their shoreline waterfowl blind.
Shelby County Deputies and Neoga Ambulance responded to the scene where the victim was pronounced deceased. The victim was positively identified as Shelby County Coroner Brad Phegley. At this time, it appears to be accidental circumstances.
IDNR Conservation Police were called in to investigate the hunting accident. Conservation Police requested the assistance of ISP Crime Scene and Investigations. An autopsy is being performed on Dec. 7 in Bloomington.
The investigation into this event is continuing by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, IDNR Conservation Police and Illinois State Police. Shelby County Deputy Coroners responded and were assisted by Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed.