Jason M. Yaekel

Monroe County Chief Deputy Coroner Bob Hill released Wednesday morning the cause of death of Jason M. Yaekel, 32, the Columbia man who died Aug. 4 at his residence in the 500 block of Kremmel Street in Columbia. A 36-year-old Troy woman has been charged in connection with his death.

“The death investigation completed by the Monroe County Coroner’s Office has ruled Mr. Yaekel’s death as accidental, with the cause of death as acute heroin and fentanyl intoxication,” reads a press release issued by the coroner’s office.

Julie N. Goleaner

Julie Nicole Goleaner, 36, was charged with drug induced homicide in connection with Yaekel’s death. The charge is a Class X felony that carries a sentence of 15-30 years in prison if convicted, according to Monroe County State’s Attorney Kris Reitz. Goleaner turned herself in to Columbia police Sept. 27.

Yaekel was pronounced dead at his residence Aug. 4 at 11:19 p.m., after being found unresponsive.

A joint investigation was completed by the Monroe County Coroner’s Office, Columbia Police Department, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigators and the Monroe County State’s Attorney’s office.

Goleaner, a former Columbia resident, is currently being held at the Monroe County Jail on $100,000 bond. During her arraignment on Thursday, she entered a plea of not guilty and was given a preliminary hearing date of Oct. 20 before Judge Dennis Doyle. A bond reduction request made by Goleaner through her attorney was denied during the arraignment.

Goleaner has prior drug convictions in both Monroe and Montgomery counties, court records indicate.