Toxicology confirms heroin overdose

Perry County Coroner Paul Searby Tuesday said toxicology reports confirm that a heroin overdose caused the death of a 29-year-old Vergennes woman found dead in the bathroom at Hardee's Restaurant in Du Quoin last November 28.

"I got the report today," said Coroner Searby.

"She died from a lethal amount of heroin," the coroner added, which confirmed his suspicions that something other than natural causes ended her life.

An autopsy was done on Kaileigh Ralph immediately following her death. Those results came back quickly and pointed to the fact that there seemed to be no medical cause or congenital issue that caused her death.

Du Quoin Chief of Police Jamie Ellermeyer was not immediately available to comment as to whether or not her heroin death will be part of a larger investigation. It could simply be a tragic personal event.

Police have confirmed that Ralph had been visiting one or more friends on East South Street before her death. They also believe that she entered the restaurant simply to use the restroom and was probably not a customer.

The body of Ralph was found in the restroom of the Hardee's on South Washington Street at 4:48 a.m. that Saturday morning, police say.

Chief Ellermeyer said surveillance video in the restaurant shows she entered the restroom Friday at 7:15 p.m. She never left the restroom and no one else had entered the restroom after 9 p.m.

Ellermeyer said no one would have given a second thought to a stall door being closed and a purse sitting on the floor. The woman's death is part and parcel of a growing heroin problem in Southern Illinois.

Her body was found the next morning as the staff prepared for the restaurant's opening.

Investigators have reviewed the restaurant's video surveillance recording and do not believe Kaileigh died as a result of foul play.