The Monroe County Coroner’s Office pronounced two people deceased over the weekend due to suspected drug overdoses.

Shortly before 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the coroner’s office was requested by the Waterloo Police Department to respond to the 200 block of Osterhage Drive in Waterloo for a deceased male.

The male was identified as 33-year-old John Lee Jr. 

An autopsy was performed Saturday evening and the coroner’s office conducted a rapid urine drug screen with the preliminary cause of death being a drug overdose.   

Toxicology samples will be sent to the forensic toxicologist for exact levels, Monroe County Coroner Bob Hill said.

The death is still under investigation.

Arrangements are pending for Lee at Valhalla Funeral Home, Belleville.

Shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday, the coroner’s office was requested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department to respond to the 8300 block of Braun Road near Red Bud for a deceased female.  

The female was identified as 30-year-old Taylor Kern. 

Hill said he conducted an on-scene rapid urine drug screen, with the preliminary cause of death being a drug overdose. 

As in Lee’s death, Hill said toxicology samples will be sent to the forensic toxicologist for exact levels.  

This death also remains under investigation. 

Arrangements for Kern are pending at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.