Death at Lake Sara

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, at approximately 1:53 pm, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department was notified of an unresponsive female at Lake Sara. The female and her friends were staying at a private residence along Shumway Cove.

The friends advised the female was entering the water from the dock ladder when she suffered a medical emergency. Her friends who were on the dock at the time assisted in getting her on a water mat and called 911.

The female was transported to HSHS St. Anthony Hospital where she was pronounced deceased at 3:01 pm. 

The female was identified as Urianus L. Gray, age 54 of Frankfort, Illinois. The Effingham County Coroner’s Office was notified by the HSHS Emergency Room of her death and responded to the ER.

Preliminary information revealed no injuries or trauma to the deceased individual.

Information from her friends and husband indicated she had several medical issues. Mrs. Gray did not drown at Lake Sara and it appears to be of Natural Causes.

Medical records were requested and the investigation continues by the Effingham County Coroner’s Office. Agencies responding to the incident were: Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, Shumway Fire Department, and Rural Med EMS.