The body of 31-year-old Tyler Graf was found shortly before 5pm, Saturday, in a private pond near 8005 Elm in Downs
A full autopsy is scheduled for April 21, 2020 at the McLean County Coroner’s Office. However, a preliminary autopsy findings indict that Mr. Graf died from drowning. There was no evidence of an altercation or assault. Toxicology results are pending.
This incident remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroner’s Office and the McLean County Sheriff’s Department.
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder and McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage are releasing the following information:
On April 11, 2020, at approximately 0922 hours, the McLean County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence in rural Downs in reference to a missing person.
Family had reported that Tyler J. Graf, age 31, of Downs, Illinois, was last seen between 0500-0530 hours of April 11, 2020, on a trail along a creek near his residence.
A search was conducted by the Sheriff’s Office, McLean County Emergency Management Agency Search and Rescue Team, Hudson Fire Department Dive Team, Downs Fire Department, as well as others. Several searches of water and land in the surrounding area had been searched this week by law enforcement and volunteers.
Today, April 18, 2020, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police was requested with special sonar equipment to assist in the search. At approximately 1648 hours, a body was located near 8005 Elm, Downs, Illinois in a private pond. Pronounced deceased at 1700 was Tyler J. Graf.
Preliminary autopsy findings indict that Mr. Graf died from drowning. There was no evidence of an altercation or assault. Toxicology results are pending. This incident remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroner’s Office and the McLean County Sheriff’s Department.
The McLean County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all assisting agencies for the countless manhours spent on the search.
