Cops say Darien death likely alcohol-related

Alcohol was likely a factor in the death of a 49-year-old man whose body was discovered this week on a parkway in Darien, police said Friday.

Chief Ernest Brown identified the victim as Joseph Crockett, who had addresses listed in Carol Stream and Westmont. A passer-by found Crockett's body about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday on the southeast corner of 67th Street and Cass Avenue.

“At this point, we believe chronic alcoholism will be a contributing factor to his cause of death, but we won't be able to absolutely confirm that until toxicology reports are in,” Brown said, estimating it could take weeks.

Crockett was last seen alive about 7:15 p.m. on Christmas as he left a residence roughly three blocks from the corner where his body was found and just across the border into Westmont, according to police. He left the residence — described as a transitional-living home — on foot and was “likely extremely intoxicated,” Brown said.

An autopsy Thursday found no injury to Crockett's body, according to police. Brown said investigators believe he died of causes brought on by alcoholism.

“It's a tragic circumstance but there's no indication there was foul play, and there's nothing that law enforcement thinks could have been done to prevent it,” Brown said. “Of course, he had a family, and our prayers and thoughts go out to them.”