Coroner IDs Rock Falls man found in moteI room

ROCK FALLS – A cause of death has not yet been released for a 53-year-old Rock Falls man who was found unresponsive in a local motel Monday morning.

Gary D. Wright was taken from the Napp Inn, 510 W. Rock Falls Road/U.S. Route 30, to CGH Medical Center in Sterling, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was conducted Tuesday, and toxicology test results are pending, Whiteside County Coroner Joe McDonald said in an email Tuesday afternoon.

Illinois State Police are investigating. Officers were on the scene most of the day Monday. In a case such as this, police will investigate as if foul play is suspected, to ensure that all evidence is collected should it turn out to be a homicide, Lt. Chris Endress said.

Wright is survived by his mother, Maria Wright of Rock Falls; his sons, Allen Wayne Wright and Chance Kooy Wright; his daughter, Kennedy Snow Wright; his brother, Edward Wright; his sisters, September Wright and Dianna (Brad) Folkers; his granddaughter, Kinley Arih Wright; and his partner, Sheilah Burg.

Private family services are planned at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls.

His complete obituary can be found at mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com and on Page A4 of today’s editions.