South Central Reporter

The death of Taylorville teen Alexia Garrison in 2021 drew publicity after a preliminary coroner's report listed COVID-19 as a "contributing factor."

Garrison, 17, died suddenly at her home as discussion was gaining steam in the state’s schools about the need for masking and vaccines. Her death became politicized after the initial autopsy was released. Her funeral was held Sept. 20, 2021.

Parents flocked to social media with some saying they had pulled their children out of school, despite studies showing those 17 and under see some of the best outcomes against COVID-19.

According to the American Journal of Pediatrics (AAP), the virus is one of the most uncommon causes of death in children aged 12 to 17. 

“Among states reporting, children were 0.00%-0.25% of all COVID-19 deaths, and seven states reported zero child deaths. In states reporting, 0.00%-0.03 of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in death,” AAP reported.

Christian County Coroner Amy C. Winans office filed the initial report on Garrison's death, along with the Taylorville Police Department. Winans has held the post, which pays just under $55,000 a year, since 2004. 

“Preliminary autopsy results indicate that she died due to natural causes with COVID-19 being a contributing factor,” Winans wrote in a release at the time.

Winans refused a public records request by South Central Reporter asking for a copy of Garrison's death certificate and the preliminary autopsy report, saying at the time, “Since this is an ongoing investigation I am waiting on police reports, medical records, toxicology, and the final autopsy report. I would expect this to be available between 60 and 90 days.” 

Death certificates are not public record in Illinois.

Over four months later, an official coroner's report has still not been released, and Winans has stopped answering emails and phone calls on the cause of Garrison’s death.

Winans' office reported that Christian County saw the highest death count in 2021 since 2004, Taylorville Daily News reported, with 383. Garrison was among that number, one of which lists the cause as "undetermined." 

About seven years ago, Winans disputed a FOX News Illinois report saying the cause of death for Mary Jane Agnew had been changed, according to Taylorville Daily News.