Man found dead in ‘suspicious death’ in Batavia identified

Batavia Police continue to investigate a death along the Fox River Trail they labeled Monday as suspicious.

Brett C. Straight, 46, of the 200 block of East New York Street in Aurora, was identified as the man discovered Monday along the trail, east of the 500 block of North Batavia Avenue, authorities said.

Police added trauma was observed in the head area, but did not release the cause of the death.

Currently, the death is listed as suspicious, but police did not indicate the reason for the classification.

An autopsy on Straight’s body was completed Monday, but the manner of death will not be released pending the autopsy and toxicology results.

A passer-by found the man unconscious and not breathing along the Fox River Trail at about 11:23 a.m. Monday.

Straight was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

“There was no gunshot wound or firearm used that caused the death of our victim,” Batavia Deputy Police Chief Glenn Autenrieth said in an email Monday. “We will await the results of the autopsy and toxicology reports from the Kane County coroner’s office to determine exact cause and manner of death.”

Autenrieth said the public is not in any danger. The death investigation is being conducted by both the Kane County Forest Preserve Police Department and Batavia Police Department.

The paved trail, which is used by walkers, runners and bicyclists, was closed to traffic between Houston Street and Fabyan Parkway during the investigation.