Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup has released the name of a man who drowned in a private pond near Allerton late yesterday. He says the victim is 44-year-old Christopher W. Pratt of Allerton. Pratt was pronounced dead on the scene at 8:34 p.m.
Coroner Northrup says Pratt was reportedly swimming in the pond shortly before witnesses observed him floating face down and then slip beneath the surface of the water. The witnesses called 911 and attempted to rescue Pratt however they were unable to locate him in the pond. Pratt’s body was eventually recovered by members of the Cornbelt Fire Department Dive Team.
An autopsy is scheduled today (June 5th, 2020), and an inquest may be held at a later date. The death is being investigated by the Champaign County Sheriff’s Department and Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
