Christian County Coroner Amy Calvert Winans Tuesday afternoon released the cause of death in several area death investigations.

Winans said that the February 17th death of 33-year-old Michael Zahradka of Pana, who was pronounced dead at his residence, was caused by dilated cardiomyopathy. An autopsy also showed other contributions were chronic narcotism. His death was ruled natural.

Winans announced that the March 17th death of 26-year-old Jamie Cothern of Pana, who was pronounced dead at Pana Community Hospital, was caused by cardiac arrhythmia due to left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, and was ruled as natural. These results were determined as a result of an autopsy.

The Christian County Coroner ruled the April 3rd death of 45-year-old Michael Smith of Taylorville, who was pronounced dead at his residence, as being caused by fentanyl intoxication. His death was determined to be accidential after an autoposy.

And, Winans said that following an autopsy, the April 29th death of 49-year-old Debra Patterson of Taylorville, who died on Illinois Route 104 near Tovey, was caused by multiple blunt injuries due to a pick up truck collision. Winans added that alcohol was a factor in the crash, and Patterson’s death was determined to be accidental.