An autopsy has determined that Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin died of a gunshot wound to the chest that was "apparently self-inflicted," the Sangamon County coroner's office said this afternoon.
The office released no other details in a brief statement, but Illinois State Police stopped short of calling the shooting a suicide, saying its investigation was still active and its findings would be be turned over to the coroner for an inquest.
"Additional investigative work continues which includes, but is not limited to, additional interviews, ballistics examination, computer evidence recovery, and fingerprint and telephone analyses," a state police statement said.
Davlin, the charismatic mayor of the state capital since 2003, was beset with legal and financial problems as a court hearing loomed. At about the time of the hearing Tuesday morning, Davlin, 53, was found dead in his Springfield home by police responding to a 911 call.
He was pronounced dead about an hour later in his home, the coroner said.
Davlin's death stunned residents in Springfield and brought tributes from small-town mayors and federal lawmakers who had gotten to know him while doing business in the state capital.
"His work with my office always reflected his dedication to our hometown." U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in a statement.
State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said he last saw Davlin two weeks ago at a legislative committee hearing and that "there was no indication that he had a problem in the world."
"He was easy to work with. It's a sad day for Springfield," Bomke said. "He had the warm smile, the charisma. He was the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer with."
Earlier this year, Davlin announced that he would not seek a third four-year term. He said his decision had nothing to do with his financial and legal troubles.
In May, the Internal Revenue Service filed a notice of a federal tax lien against him for unpaid income taxes in 2003, 2005 and 2006 totaling $89,702.11.
That same month, Catholic Charities of Springfield, a benefactor of his cousin's estate, petitioned a judge to remove Davlin as the estate's executor and order a financial accounting of the estate, which at one time was worth $845,000.
Davlin's cousin, Margaret Ettelbrick, died in 2003. Beneficiaries of her estate included several charities and Catholic organizations and nine cousins. Whatever was left, known as the residuary estate, was to go to Catholic Charities of Springfield.
Davlin missed a Sept. 22 court deadline to file the financial accounting. Two days later, his attorney, Patrick Timoney, filed a motion to withdraw from the case, saying Davlin had not provided documentation he had requested.
Timoney also told the court he was owed $19,470 in the case. He did not return a phone call on Tuesday.
Davlin subsequently told the judge he had hired a new attorney, and a new hearing on the accounting of Ettelbrick's estate was set for Tuesday.
Davlin, who was divorced, is survived by four children and four grandchildren. The son of a prominent Springfield attorney, Davlin worked in the financial and insurance business before being elected mayor in April 2003.
He is credited with helping to rejuvenate Springfield's downtown district, in particular with the 2005 opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. A year later, he organized workers and volunteers to restore the community in the wake of two tornadoes.
"This guy was an amazing individual with probably more energy and charisma than I've seen in a mayor, at least in this state," said lobbyist Chris Stone. "He loved helping people. He was just a great person to be around. He didn't seem like he let tough situations get to him."
Davlin recently completed a one-year term as president of the Illinois Municipal League.
"He's a dear, dear friend," said Larry Frang, the league's executive director. "He was in every sense a leader, in both his municipality and in municipalities across the state."
With Davlin's death, Alderman Frank Kunz takes over in Springfield as mayor pro tem.
Residents said Davlin, a highly visible leader who mixed freely with constituents in his rounds of the town, would be missed.
"It's sad and just wasn't really expected," said Randy Brawner as he sat at a downtown bar. "It was really surprising ... he was one of the nicest guys you'd want to meet. This saddens my heart."
-- Erika Slife and Lolly Bowean
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