Autopsy Finds 27-Year-Old Joliet Man Drowned In Des Plaines River

JOLIET, IL – An autopsy completed on Tuesday by the Will County Coroner’s Office determined that a 27-year-old Joliet man drowned in the Des Plaines on Monday. The body of Eric Cotter was discovered in the spillway of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam on Monday. The county coroner’s office identified Cotter Monday night after his body was discovered and was pulled from the river earlier in the day.

The final cause and manner of death will be determined at a later date pending the final review of autopsy, toxicological and police reports, the coroner's office announced.

The Illinois State Police announced in a release that Cotter’s body had been discovered shortly before 9 a.m. on Monday. The state police announced Monday night that they had no further information regarding their information and said an autopsy would be completed on Tuesday.