Woman Found Dead in Her Home in Mason

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Department responded to a welfare check at 654 N. Cedar St. in Mason at 2am Monday. Family members advised officers they had not seen the person living at the address for several days.

Upon arrival the deputies found the resident deceased in the bathroom. The individual was identified as Sally Gouchenouer, age 46.

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, Effingham County Coroner’s Office, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit, Rural Med EMS and the Edgewood Fire Department all assisted at the scene.

Sally Gouchenouer was transported to the HSHS St. Anthony Hospital. Medical records were requested and an autopsy is scheduled for 10:30 am on Wednesday, November 9th at Regional Autopsy Center in Urbana, Illinois to determine the official cause of death. Toxicology samples will be taken and sent for analysis.

Next of kin were notified and the American Red Cross is assisting one of her daughters in obtaining an emergency leave from her National Guard Training in Texas to return to Illinois.

The incident remains under investigation by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department and the Effingham County Coroner’s Office.