Champaign County sees lower deaths in 2023: Coroner

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Coroner’s Office recently released their 2023 Annual Report, comparing operations and death investigations between last year and 2022.

1,403 Champaign County residents were reported to the Coroner’s Office in 2023, along with 510 non-residents. This totals 1,913 deaths throughout last year — a 188 decrease from 2022. The number of deaths from people outside the county also lowered 24% from 672.

Of the 2023 deaths, 335 were the result of natural causes, 158 were accidental, and 32 were ruled suicides. 16 deaths were the result of homicide, all of which were men ranging from 16 to 59 years old, and 11 of which were carried out by gunfire. Compared to 2022, homicide deaths saw a 23% drop last year.

Most of Champaign County’s accidental deaths were caused by illicit drug overdoses — namely fentanyl — in 2023. Out of the 60 overdoses, 42 were the result of fentanyl use, 14 from cocaine, eight from heroin, seven from alcohol and six from prescription medications. 41 overdose deaths involved more than one drug.

If you suffer from substance abuse, see the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s list of treatment resources .

Other accidental deaths included 91 caused by blunt force trauma (64 of which were from falling), 32 from motor vehicle accidents, and one from drowning. 2022 saw a total of 180 accidental deaths, marking a 12% decrease for 2023.

21 males and 11 females in Champaign County made up 32 suicidal deaths last year, ranging from 21 to 88 years old. If you are struggling, please dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or refer to CUPHD’s list of services .

To see the Champaign County Coroner’s full 2023 report, click here .

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