Man Found Dead in Effingham Apartment; Appears Due to Natural Causes

A man was found dead in his Effingham apartment Tuesday. The death appears to have been due to natural causes.

The man has been identified as 65-year-old John Gillespie. Effingham City Police responded to an apartment on 5th Street at 12:02pm. They had been asked to check on the welfare of an individual who failed to show up for a family Christmas get-together in Chicago. Police found Gillespie and summoned the Effingham County Coroner's Office.

According to family members, Gillespie had been living in Effingham for about two months.

Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes said an initial investigation indicated no foul play was involved. Rhodes said the death appears to have been due to natural causes. Toxicology samples will be sent to the lab, and medical records are being requested. 

The Effingham City Police Department Patrol Section assisted in the investigation, which is continuing by the Coroner's Office.