Heat-related death toll rises to 22 in a week
Updated: October 24, 2012 10:09PM
Autopsies conducted Wednesday determined three more people have died in part from the recent heat, raising the total to 22 heat-related deaths in Cook County in a week.
Ruben Martinez, in his 70s, of the 4500 block of North Clark Street, was found decomposed in his home at 12:55 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
John McGill, 57, of the 4800 block of West Irving Park Road was pronounced dead at 1:02 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center.
And Dorothy J. Short, 68, of the 8800 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, was pronounced dead at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday at Stroger Hospital of Cook County.
Wednesday autopsies determined all three died from heart conditions, with heat stress as a contributing factor, the medical examiner’s office said. The deaths were ruled accidents.


