Injured Man's Death Ruled 'Accidental'

The death of an Oak Lawn man found gravely injured on his front doorstep in the early morning hours of Jan. 30 has been ruled accidental, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Sign up for Oak Lawn Patch breaking news alerts.

Terrence R. Reichert, 51, was found by his fiancé unconscious and lying near his front door after he had been out the evening before at a Hometown tavern and was dropped off at his home near 109th Street and Komensky Avenue.

He died Monday morning at Advocate Christ Medical Center. There was some question by the man’s family whether he had been beaten.

Reichert’s body was autopsied by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday morning.

The medical examiner’s office attributed the cause of death to a closed head jury due to a fall. Contributing factors were cited as intoxication and hypothermia.

The case was reviewed by pathologists and Stephen J. Cina, M.D., chief medical examiner for Cook County, an Oak Lawn police news release said.

Oak Lawn police called Reichert’s death “a very tragic accident” and said they have met with Reichert’s family.

“Our deepest sympathies are with his family as they try to cope with their loss,” police said.

Reichert’s family has set up a Facebook page in his honor where friends and family can leave their memories of the man described as funny, fun-loving and a loyal friend and brother.