Kevin O. Peals Sr.
Kevin O. Peals Sr., 65, died on October 11, 2025, while held at the St. Clair County Jail in Illinois. Illinois State Police said he was found unresponsive in his cell. The county coroner said autopsy results showed pneumonia and a gastrointestinal hemorrhage of unknown cause, and the death was listed as natural. His public defender said she had "no idea that he had died" and learned of it only when he did not appear at a scheduled Dec. 19 court date.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The county coroner said autopsy results showed pneumonia and a gastrointestinal hemorrhage of unknown cause, and Illinois State Police said he was found unresponsive in his cell.
Reported by: Illinois State Police (outside investigators); St. Clair County coroner (medical examiner or coroner).