Morgan County Coroner Investigates Downtown Jacksonville Death of Resident
Morgan County officials are investigating the mid November death of Bobby J. Eberle, 57, who was found unresponsive on a strip of grass on Dunlap Court in downtown Jacksonville. The coroner has ruled the cause undetermined pending toxicology results, and the case remains under active investigation which matters for public safety and community transparency.
The Morgan County Coroner's Office is investigating the death of 57 year old Bobby J. Eberle, formerly of Danville, after he was discovered unresponsive in mid November on a narrow strip of grass on Dunlap Court in downtown Jacksonville. The location was between the Strawn Art Gallery and the Bank of Springfield. Eberle was taken to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Coroner Marcy Patterson reported that the cause of death is undetermined pending toxicology results. An initial 911 call suggested a possible overdose, but Patterson does not currently believe overdose was the cause. The case remains under investigation while county authorities await laboratory findings.
The scene in downtown Jacksonville and the involvement of emergency services highlight several local concerns. The location is a central stretch of the business district, and the discovery there prompted questions among residents and business owners about public safety, emergency response procedures, and services for vulnerable people in the community. Timely and transparent completion of toxicology testing is crucial for establishing cause of death, informing any potential criminal or public health follow up, and providing closure to family and neighbors.
Institutional responsibility falls to multiple local agencies in this case. The coroner’s office is handling cause of death determination while law enforcement continues investigative work at the scene. Results from toxicology testing typically guide both investigative directions and public reporting, and the pace of those results will determine when authorities can release further findings.
For Morgan County residents the incident underscores the role of local government in managing downtown safety and public health risks. Public officials will be expected to share updates as toxicology results become available, and to use findings to assess whether additional outreach, emergency preparedness, or policy changes are needed. The investigation remains active and authorities ask anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist with ongoing inquiries.
