Two days after 65-year-old Curtis Scott Sheeler went missing, he was found deceased near his home on Rosewood Lane in rural Randolph County, Ill., on the morning of Tuesday, July 8th.
Sheeler had been reported missing by a family member on Sunday evening, July 6, and they requested a welfare check at Sheeler’s home.
An initial search of his home and the surrounding area was unsuccessful, and authorities spent the evening hours checking at the homes of friends in the area.
The following morning, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office continued the investigation, which generated information to support the coordination of a more thorough search near his home.
The operation included assistance from the Sparta Fire Department and the Franklin County Office of Emergency Management Special Operations (OEMC) K9 Team. Another search was coordinated July 8 by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Sparta Fire Department and Randolph County Emergency Management.
First responders from several area agencies participated as part of this search team. Those agencies included Sparta Fire, Franklin County OEMC K9 Team, Baldwin Fire, Red Bud Fire, Ellis Grove Fire, Prairie Du Rocher Fire, and Med Star Ambulance.
Sheeler’s body was located on an adjacent piece of property later that morning. At this time, the cause of death is still under investigation by the Randolph County Coroner’s Office and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and Randolph County Coroner’s Office extended their appreciation to the first responders in assisting them with the search and recovery efforts. The offices also extended their condolences to the family of Mr. Sheeler.
