According to a release from Coroner Chris Marsh:
On October 4, 2023, White County 911 received a call from 911 Stewart St. where some juveniles who were playing in the woods had entered a half fallen down building and discovered a body that had been dead for many months. The Carmi Police Dept, White County Sheriff Dept and the White County Coroner responded. It was decided to call Illinois Stated Police Crime Scene Investigations to process the building and the scene.
After the scene was processed the body was removed and placed in the White County Morgue. An autopsy was performed on October 6, 2023 in Champaign IL. There was no identification at the scene nor on the body so the remains were treated as unidentified.
A concerned lady called the next day saying she had heard an unidentified body had been found in Carmi and that her brother had been missing for about 5 months and had not been seen. Her name was Belinda Roberts and her brothers name was Timothy Roberts. She stated that his mother was still alive and living in Mt. Vernon IL. I contacted the possible mother, Patricia Garrison, and asked if I could get a DNA swab from her to submit to the State Police Crime Lab for comparison and possible DNA match. She agreed.
The DNA swab from the possible mother and a femur bone from the remains were submitted. The results have finally come back with a 99.99997% match that the remains found are the son of Patricia Garrison, being Timothy Roberts, white male with a DOB 4-25-69, found deceased 10-4-23.
The Carmi Police Chief Jason Carter and the White County Coroner Chris Marsh wish to convey to the citizens of Carmi and White County that from all indications at the scene and evidence from the autopsy, Mr. Roberts died in his sleep from probable natural causes. There was no foul play suspected at the time of the investigation nor is there any speculation as to foul play now. Mr. Roberts remains will be released to Jordan Funeral Group of Carmi who is assisting the family with arrangements.
