A death investigation is underway after a woman was found Sunday in a creek near the 1100 block of Lee Street in Cottage Hills, Madison County. County detectives and the coroner responded as authorities worked to identify the woman and determine what happened.
According to First Alert 4, the Madison County Sheriff's Office said an adult woman was located in a creek area near the 1100 block of Lee Street and has been tentatively identified. The department told the station that "based on initial information there does not appear to be a threat to the public." Officials did not immediately release the woman's name or a cause of death.
Investigators at the Scene
Madison County sheriff detectives and the county coroner's office are leading the inquiry, the county sheriff's website notes. Authorities continue to process the creek area while following leads and documenting evidence.
Where This Happened
Cottage Hills is an unincorporated community in Madison County, Illinois, just west of Bethalto and north of Rosewood Heights, part of the Metro East near Alton. According to Wikipedia, the area includes small residential neighborhoods and tributary creeks that feed into larger waterways.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Madison County Sheriff's Office tip line at (618) 296-6200 or the county non-emergency contacts listed on the sheriff's site, and to share any video or eyewitness accounts with investigators. First Alert 4 reported the initial discovery Sunday; authorities say they will release more details as the investigation allows.
