Belleville teen reported unconscious in park, later pronounced dead

A 17-year-old Belleville girl died in a Swansea park during the early morning hours Tuesday.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, said St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye. Sr.

Swansea Police responded to a 911 call at about 1:30 a.m. reporting that the girl was unconscious and not breathing at Centennial Park, 311 North Belt West. Additional information was provided to indicate her condition may have been caused by substance overdose, according to police.

Officers made attempts to resuscitate the girl, including the use of the Automated External Defibrillator. Swansea firefighters and emergency medical services also responded to the scene and continued life-saving measures that were not successful, police reported.

The girl was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:30 a.m., Dye said.

Swansea detectives, the St. Clair County Coroner’s office, and Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call Swansea Detective Jason Frank at 618-233-8114.

This story was originally published October 12, 2021 at 12:34 PM.