The DuPage County Coroner's Office has released some information on what likely caused the death of Russell Winkler Dec. 22.
Winkler's body was found on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, along the bank of Salt Creek behind Diplomat West Banquet Hall, just west of Route 83 at North Avenue. Winkler went missing in the early morning hours Saturday, Dec. 22, after he was last seen by friends walking from Mack's Golden Pheasant, 668 W. North Ave., at closing time.
According to Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth, the coroner reported Winkler drowned.
"The investigators believe that he may have tried to cross the creek and fell into the water, ingesting water into his lungs," Ruth said Jan. 2.
Police previously said there was no sign of trauma visible when the body was found. The formal toxicology report has not yet been released, Ruth said.
"The toxicology report is expected to take several weeks," he said.
Winkler, a former Elmhurst resident and a 1986 York graduate,
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Let Patch save you time. Get more local stories like these delivered right to your inbox or smartphone with our free newsletter. Fast signup here. For a different take, like us on Facebook.
Second, let's see what the toxicology report says. Clearly, no sober person is going to cross the Salt Creek at 2am when it is 25 degrees outside. There is no "good" reason that bars in Elmhurst should be serving people liquor after 11pm. Only bad things happen. Just ask they police, and sadly, now, the Winkler family. Properly trained bartenders know when someone is drunk and shouldn't serve them whether they are driving or not. It shouldn't be predicated on closing time. May God bless Mr. Winkler, his family, and our aldermen (so that they have the courage to save lives and alter the liquor laws in Elmhurst to close bars at 11pm.
We don't know his BAC and we don't know if he was drunk. You can drink and not get drunk. Only simpletons think otherwise. Based on your last line, it sounds like you are using this tragedy to push a political agenda. How disgusting.
Bars exist to serve alcohol and make a profit. They more they sell, the more they make. The only reason they might care about their patrons well-being is to get them back to the barstool the next day. Period. Regarding whether Mr. Winkler was intoxicated, we have to wait for the toxicology report. But don't be naive. A 2am crossing of the Salt Creek in 25 degree weather might give you a hint. You are going to see a lawsuit, folks. Bar, bartender, and taxi company.