Eastern student Mark Schwartz’s death was caused by natural causes, said Coles County Coroner Mike Nichols.

Schwartz, 22, was pronounced dead around 7 p.m. on Feb. 29 at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Emergency Room.

Nichols said a heart complication that probably existed at birth led to Schwartz’s death.

Nichols referred to it as the “tunneling and bridging of the heart.” He added that every time Schwartz’s heart would beat, it would squeeze a vein and cut off blood from entering the heart.

No alcohol or drugs were found in his bloodstream at the time of his death, Nichols said.

No inquest will be held because his death was medically related, Nichols added.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or at sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.