Kane Co. Coroner Changes Ruling on 2011 Death of Geneva Teen

Photo credit: Yurs Funeral Home

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell has changed the cause of death ruling for a 19-year-old Geneva girl who died in her sleep.

Emma L. Mebane died on on July 8, 2011, at her home in Geneva. The coroner at the time, Charles West, determined the cause of death to be an accident resulting from the adverse affects of polypharmacy, which means many drugs, according to a letter from Rob Mebane, Emma’s father, to the coroner’s office. Russell announced Thursday he’s changed that ruling to undetermined.

Rob Mebane, along with four other families, requested Russell review cold case death rulings. Russell said his office has reviewed three of those, including Emma’s case. The two other rulings have remained unchanged.

In reviewing Emma’s death ruling, Russell said the main reason he changed the cause and manner of death to undetermined was because an autopsy was never performed.

“In this case no autopsy was performed to seek the possibility of a natural event. ... After I reviewed the toxicology report, my forensic pathologist and I agreed the determination was incorrect. Because we had no autopsy report and the remains were cremated, we had nothing else to review,” Russell said. The toxicology report, according to Mebane, revealed a “low therapeutic level of (Emma’s) prescribed medications.”

Rob Mebane said the changed ruling on Emma’s death provides him and his wife with some closure and comfort.

“....how the official permanent record characterizes the circumstances surrounding Emma’s death is of paramount importance,” Mebane said. “To us, after 4.5 years of unfinished business, being able to close the file with some appropriate finality brings an invaluable sense of comfort.”

Russell said if Emma’s case came into his office today, it would be handled differently. The coroner’s office now follows national standards since becoming accredited in 2014, Russell said.

“I’m glad we could bring some peace to these families,” Russell said. ”As we move forward, it’s important to me that we do things right the first time at the coroner’s office to avoid unnecessary trauma to those who were left behind.” 

• READ MORE: Geneva Community Mourns Emma Mebane