INFORMATION RELEASE – EDGAR COUNTY CORONER

RE: Follow up to March 1, 2021, residential fire in Vermilion, Illinois

Edgar County Coroner, Scott Barrett, has ruled the manner of death for both Michael and Nettie Phipps as homicides. The father and his infant daughter died in an early morning fire at their Vermilion, Illinois, residence on March 1, 2021.

An autopsy conducted at Terre Haute Regional Hospital on March 2, 2021, by Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Dele Adeagbo, revealed that the cause of death for 35-year-old Michael J. Phipps was a combination of thermal exposure, carbon monoxide inhalation, and smoke inhalation.

An autopsy conducted on 2-month-old Nettie L. Phipps revealed that the cause of death was a combination of thermal exposure and carbon monoxide inhalation.

Stephanie L. Sanders, 26, was taken into custody May 3, 2021, by the Illinois State Police following the issuance of a warrant by the Edgar County State’s Attorney.

Formal charges and additional details will be released by the Illinois State Police.

Sanders is the mother of the infant and was in a relationship with Phipps, prior to his death.

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