NIU student found dead in art building identified by DeKalb County coroner

DeKALB – The DeKalb County Coroner’s Office has identified a Northern Illinois University student found dead Monday inside the university’s art building on the east side of campus.

DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said Tyler Madison, 21, of Chicago was an art student at NIU.

“He was working on a project, apparently, in the lab … and was discovered yesterday morning by custodial staff and they called 911 and the fire department,″ Miller said.

Miller said he determined the cause of death was a cardiac event and the manner of death was natural.

Miller emphasized no foul play is suspected in Madison’s death. He said there was no trauma to the body found, nor any sign of drugs, present that would suggest otherwise.

“It’s just unfortunate – a young man, but cardiac history does run in the family,” Miller said. “He was being treated for cardiac issues, so nothing was suspicious whatsoever.”

Northern Illinois University officials confirmed a student was found dead Monday inside the university’s art building due to an apparent medical crisis.

NIU spokesman Joe King on Monday said staff found the student in the art building. He said part of the building was closed briefly while NIU police and officials from the DeKalb County Coroner’s office investigated.

In an additional written statement, NIU officials said Monday the university is working to support the student’s family “during this difficult time.”

“The university is also in process of reaching out to and supporting the student’s faculty, classes and friends,” NIU officials wrote.