Fair food vendor not electrocuted

By Jaime Baranyai

An autopsy report today showed no evidence that Christopher “Chip” Peavey, 48, a longtime food vendor at the Ozark Empire Fair who died Monday morning, was electrocuted as first thought.

Although Peavey was found collapsed with an electrical cord in his hand, the autopsy report did not point to electrocution, according to David Brown, an investigator with the Greene County Medical Examiner’s Office.

“There is, however, evidence of coronary artery disease,” Brown said.

Brown said histology and toxicology reports will be conducted to further determine the cause of death, but it’s possible Peavey had a heart attack.
Fair food vendor didn't die from electrocution

This just in:

Autopsy finds signs of heart disease, not electrical shock.
Jaime Baranyai, News-Leader

An autopsy report Tuesday showed no evidence that a fair vendor who died Monday while taking down his food stand was electrocuted, as police on the scene first thought.
Although Christopher "Chip" Peavey, 48, was found collapsed with an electrical cord in his hand, the autopsy report revealed no signs of electrocution, according to David Brown, an investigator with the Greene County Medical Examiner's Office.

"There is, however, evidence of coronary artery disease," Brown said.

He said the autopsy found late stages of the disease, which is a narrowing of the arteries.

Brown said histology and toxicology reports will be conducted to further determine the cause of death, but it's possible Peavey had a heart attack.

The electrical equipment will also be tested to rule out electrocution, according to Brown.

"All sides of this will be thoroughly investigated to be sure, but it does look like it (the death) was because of the coronary artery disease."

Steve Sweetin, Peavey's longtime business partner, said there were no electrical problems with their equipment or the fair's hookups. He said as far as he knew, Peavey was in good health.

Sweetin, 69, of Springfield said he and Peavey had been business partners for the past 30 years, working concession stands in several states. Although the two sold a variety of fair food including corn dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, pizza and more, Peavey was famous for his cinnamon rolls.

"The cinnamon rolls were his thing," Sweetin said. "He came up with the recipe and really perfected those."

Sweetin said Peavey, who was originally from New York City, lived in Springfield for nearly 30 years.

"This is my 50th year doing the Ozark Empire Fair, so it had to be his 30th."