By Greg Myers
The Marissa community is in mourning after the loss of recent high school graduate and three-sport standout Chelsea Weekley.
Weekley, 18, was found dead by her mother Sunday morning at about 8 o’clock. As of Tuesday, the St. Clair coroner’s office could not determine the cause of death.
“We have conducted an autopsy, and toxicology tests should be back in four to six weeks,” said a St. Clair coroner’s office spokesperson. “Until the results are back, the pathologist cannot give a cause of death.”
Five days before her death, Weekley underwent surgery to correct an imperfection of her skull that would sometimes cause headaches.
According to family and friends, the surgery went well, and Weekley was recovering well from the procedure.
“According to reports from the doctor and hospital, the surgery was not a factor in her death,” said Cheryl Bost, Weekley’s aunt. “They told us they could not determine a cause of death, and that is even more devastating right now. Everyone needs a reason. She was in top physical shape.”
The questions hovering around the death of Weekley has made it even tougher for the village and school to cope with the loss of a popular student and athlete.
“A lot of people are still in shock,” said Marissa-Coulterville girls basketball coach and athletic director Dan Lehman. “She was just the best. She was active, friendly and trustworthy. She was never  in trouble and was very goal orientated. If she made a goal, she would go out and accomplish it.”
Weekley starred for Marissa in volleyball, softball and basketball, while also serving as a member of the National Honor Society.
This past winter, she lead her team to a regional championship despite battling the flu.
“That just sums her up,” added Lehman. “She would do anything to help her teammates. She was just a phenomenal kid. The community is really struggling with her death.”
While basketball was Weekley’s best sport, she turned down a large scholarship from Lindenwood College in Belleville to enroll in the pre-med program at SIUE.
Chelsea was the daughter of Sandi and Doug Hall of Marissa and the late Darren Weekley.
Her funeral will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Marissa High School gym. Chelsea will be buried in her No. 22 high school basketball uniform.