Overview

On Aug 14, 2024, in Peoria, IL, Mike Vorrath was found guilty of drowning his wife of over 40 years (Nancy Vorrath) in a deep sink filled with approximately eight inches of water. This incident occurred in the basement of their home on Nov 23, 2019.

At the time, they were the only two occupants in the house.

Two previous trials were also conducted (August 2023 and April 2024), both ending in mistrials.

The defense argued that it was suicide using documented evidence outlining Nancy's current battle with mental illness in 2019, a previous suicide attempt, and a handwritten note that was discovered by investigators for books referencing suicide. Additionally, no motive was ever established.

The State of Illinois argued that it was a homicide based solely on the assumption of the Peoria County Coroner and the autopsy conducted by an independent medical examiner.

The independent medical examiner stated that several bruises around her body and a deep bruise below her neck indicated blunt-force trauma. From this, they concluded that Mike forcibly held her down and drowned her. The prosecution never brought up a motive either. 

He was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Oct 16, 2024.

The following questions, facts, and documented items need to be examined in greater detail since Mike Vorrath DID NOT commit this crime.

 These are as follows:

If Mike had physically restrained Nancy, there would likely have been defensive wounds or signs of struggle.  However, evidence will show there were none.

At the time, Mike was 63 years old, 50 pounds overweight, a Type II diabetic, and had difficulty with strenuous physical tasks. It would have been nearly impossible for him to physically overpower and hold his wife down.

Mike was performing CPR on Nancy, as she was still alive, and he called 911 immediately. Records will show that her head was not submerged in water for an extended time.

Why wasn't a criminal investigation initiated right away?

Why wasn’t the water from the sink tested for DNA evidence before it was drained?

Why did the coroner sign the death certificate and release Nancy's body for cremation 11 days before Mike was arrested for murder, destroying potential evidence?
And why wasn’t this issue raised by the defense or prosecution?\

Detectives at the scene did not conclude that it was a homicide.

Evidence will show that the coroner had already expressed doubt about Mike’s account during the initial investigation.  Based on this, Nancy’s body should have remained at the county morgue until formal charges were brought against Mike.

A forensic pathology expert with over 5,000 cases reviewed the autopsy photos (since she could not examine the body).  She testified under oath that the bruises and trauma were caused by a LUCAS resuscitation machine and prolonged CPR performed by EMTs for nearly an hour.

Although motive is not required to establish homicide, it’s important to note the following about Mike Vorrath:

- He had no prior record of domestic violence.

- There was no history of extramarital affairs.

- No new or additional life insurance policies were purchased, other than what was provided through Nancy’s job.

- He had no issues with drug or alcohol abuse.

- He had no history of mental illness.

- There was no completed will or trust in place.

Additionally:

- Mike and Nancy reduced the amount of their contributions to a universal life insurance policy coverage in the months leading up to her death.

- Digital forensics will show no record on Mike’s computer or phone of any suspicious activity.

- Mike kept a journal to address Nancy’s bout with depression in the months that led up to her death.

Mike’s defense team used Nancy’s history of bipolar disorder and depression as key evidence to argue that her death was a suicide, not a homicide. The points they highlighted include:

- Her prior suicide attempt. 

- Nancy had been regularly seeing a psychiatrist leading up to her death.

- Her medication had been recently changed.

- She had lost interest in activities she once enjoyed, like swimming.

- She had a history of alcoholism.

- A handwritten note from Nancy was found in a book, referencing other books on suicidal behavior.

- Her laptop contained search terms related to depression.

In June 2019, five months before her death, she posted on Facebook about depression, hypo-manic episodes, and hurtful exchanges with friends and family (although some posts also expressed love, support, and encouragement).

As with any marriage, Mike and Nancy shared the good and bad times. 

They were devout Catholics deeply rooted in their faith.

Mike continues to grieve for Nancy and for the last five years, he has never considered seeking new companionships. 

The house they shared for over 30 years was still filled with memories of Nancy.

Her clothes still hung in the closet.

Her shoes lined up by the door.    

When asked why items in the kitchen were put away in a certain spot,
Mike's reply was this:
"Because that's how Nancy did it."

We all loved Nancy and she was a very caring soul.  She will always be missed and have a place in our hearts. 

The takeaway from this tragedy is the destruction of a family brought on by misinformation, legal bureaucracies, and omission of logic.  

According to the National Registry of Wrongful Convictions, the state of Illinois has documented 156 wrongful convictions for homicide since 1989.

This is significantly higher than other states (New York is second with 123, and California is third with 78). As a result, Illinois also leads the nation in exonerations with 2.38% (out of 100,000 residents).