No foul play in June Batavia river trail death
A man found dead June 4 along the Fox River in Batavia died of a heart problem brought on by inhaling refrigerant, according to the Kane County coroner’s office.
The death certificate for Brett Straight, 46, of Winfield, lists “cardiac arrhythmia” as the immediate cause of death. Contributing causes were “inhalation of 1-difluoroethane” and “huffing,” according to the certificate.
The case file indicated that three cans of compressed air, used for removing dust from electronics, were found near Straight’s body, which was on an old boat dock on the west side of the river between Fabyan Parkway and Houston Street. A witness reported seeing Straight June 3 near the Fabyan Parkway bridge, with a deep cut on his head. When the witness asked if Straight needed help, Straight left on his bicycle. The witness called 911 and followed Straight on the Fox River Trail, but lost sight of him near downtown Batavia.
Straight suffered a head cut and scrapes on his head, arms, hands, shoulder and legs consistent with a fall from a bicycle, according to the coroner’s report. Bloody handprints were found on the cans of compressed air. Laboratory tests showed an increased level of alcohol in his blood, which could be attributed to the inhalant. The coroner’s office did not order further testing specifically for the compound. “Due to budget constraints the testing of this chemical could not be 100 percent confirmed,” the report said.
Straight was due to graduate in mid-June from a residential treatment program at Wayside Cross Ministries in Aurora.