Drowning Likely the Cause of Russell Winkler's Death

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.

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