Berrien County Public Defender Christopher Renna Dies At 40

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berriencountycourthouse2-4

Less than two weeks before he was to leave the job as Berrien County chief public defender for the same post in Kalamazoo County, Christopher Renna has died. The Herald Palladium reports the 40-year-old died at Spectrum Health Lakeland on Monday night of a heart attack after leaving work that day saying he didn’t feel well.

Renna was appointed chief public defender in August 2018 and his last day was slated for next Friday, March 20. Paul Jancha Jr., who had been announced as Renna’s successor, has taken over the duties. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steve Pierangeli told the HP the death is “an incredible tragedy,” and said Renna was “a zealous advocate for his clients.”

According to a brief online obituary from Fischer Family Funeral Services in Saginaw, no funeral details have been set as yet. Renna was a Saginaw native.