Death at Lake Apparently Due to Asphyxiation

Preliminary results of an autopsy on the man found dead Thursday at Lake Sara are that the death was due to asphyxiation.

24-year-old Dustin Knapp of the Lake Sara area was observed by fisherman on the lake shortly before 3pm.  Authorities were contacted and found Knapp near the Lake Sara Community Building.  A representative of the Effingham County Coroner's Office responded and pronounced Knapp dead at the scene at 3:08pm.

Authorities have said foul play is not suspected in Knapp's death.  The final manner and cause of death will be released after the final autopsy and toxicology results are received by the coroner's office.

Effingham County sheriff's deputies and the coroner's office are working on the case and were assisted at the scene by Illinois State Police, Effingham Water Authority police and the Shumway Fire Protection District.