50 year old James Streight of Kewanee was found dead on the afternoon of May 28th, 2022. Sources tell RegionalMediaNews.com that the body of James Streight had been in apartment 310 in the Washington Apartments, a low income housing facility under the administration of the Henry County Housing Authority, for approximately 2 and a half months beginning in March of 2022 until he was found on May 28th, 2022. According to our source, the body suffered from ‘natural mummification’ when it was taken from the apartment complex by personnel of the office of the Henry County Coroner.
Henry County Coroner Melissa Watkins confirmed to RegionalMediaNews.com that James Streight’s body had been brought to the attention of her office and when asked if the body had been in the apartment for a reported period 3 months, Watkins stated that “it wasn’t quite that long.” Another source indicated that it was approximately 2 and a half months. The Henry County Housing Authority spoke with RegionalMediaNews.com on Tuesday, and indicated that the body had been found after a Housing Authority employee noticed several flyers that had not been picked up by the tenant in apartment 310, James Streight.
In further conversation with Henry County Coroner Melissa Watkins, RegionalMediaNews.com asked whether an Inquest into the death of James Streight had been conducted: “No, an inquest was not done. Inquest is at the discretion of the coroner. I have offered in a few cases in the past and families have declined. As you know, they are public, and families appreciate their privacy and do not wish to have to relive what occurred and everyone else knowing details of their loved ones death.”
RegionalMediaNews.com asked an official with the Henry County Housing Authority if this incident would lead to a change in policy at the Henry County Housing Authority, RegionalMediaNews.com was told that no policy change was needed and that the Housing Authority staff had done everything they could do regarding the incident. Our source indicates that some time after Mr. Streight had passed away his electricity had been shut off. Henry County Housing Authority stated that they were aware that the power had been disconnected.
RegionalMediaNews.com reached out members of the Henry County Housing Authority Board to ask if they had been made aware of Mr. Streight’s death. According to one member of the Board, “no,” members were not made aware. When the Board Member was asked if there were policies in place regarding an incident such as this, the member said they were unaware of any policy.
Henry County Housing Authority staff told RegionalMediaNews.com that the cost for cleaning and repairing the apartment was in the range of $10,000.00 and that the apartment would be off-line for three months. Further pressed regarding policies at the Henry County Housing Authority, RegionalMediaNews.com were told that residents of Housing Authority properties met with Housing Authority staff one time per year in order to determine their annual income. No other contact between Henry County Housing Authority staff and residents is currently required by policy.
James Streight officially died of 4th Stage Cirrhosis of the Liver.
Correction: We corrected the spelling Mr. James Streight’s last name.
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