Fayette County Authorities Investigating Two Deaths

Fayette County authorities are investigating two deaths.

44-year-old Cassandra Pollard of Effingham was found dead by a friend at his rural Vandalia home shortly after 9am Saturday.  Pollard had reportedly been visiting the home since Friday.

Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen pronounced Pollard dead at the scene at 9:39am Saturday.  An autopsy to determine the cause of death will be conducted today at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

   --

47-year-old Matthew Austin was found dead in his pickup truck by a family member at 9:30pm Saturday.  

Coroner Bowen said Austin appears to have died from a single gunshot wound and was found in St. Elmo at 501 West Cumberland Road.  Bowen pronounced Austin death at the scene.  An autopsy into Austin's death will also be conducted today at St. Anthony's.

The Fayette County Coroner's Office is continuing its investigation into both deaths.