Foul play ‘not suspected’ in Rock Falls death

ROCK FALLS – “Foul play is not suspected at this point” in the death of a Rock Falls man whose body was found Thursday behind his apartment, the Whiteside County coroner said Monday.

An autopsy conducted Friday was inconclusive and toxicology results are needed to determine the cause of George E. Chavarria’s death, Coroner Joe McDonald said. Results typically take several weeks or even months to come back.

McDonald would not say whether Chavarria, 34, had any obvious injuries, and said an exact time of death also has not been determined.

They will treat Chavarria’s death as “suspicious” until a cause is determined, said police who still are trying to piece together the last week of his life.

Police were called about 2:22 p.m. Thursday to the Hampton Apartments complex, 1203 Dixon Avenue, on a report of a possible assault.

Chavarria’s boss at Dixon Direct went looking for him when he didn’t show up for work. He found his body laying in a small, sunken concrete patio behind the building, and called police.

Chavarria was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are asking anyone who may have had contact with Chavarria in the last week to email tips@rockfalls61071.com or call at 815-622-1142 or 815-625-2153.