The Number of Heat-Related Deaths Rises to 10

Report said that more deaths are under investigation for heat as the possible cause

UPDATE: 18 Deaths Now Blamed on Heat...

Four more deaths have been attributed at least in part to heat-related causes, bringing the total of heat-related deaths in Cook County this week to 10.

Autopsies conducted on Saturday confirm that heat stress was a cause in four deaths on Friday according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

Pamela Dairyco, 65, of the 4900 block of West Fullerton Avenue, was pronounced dead at her home at 8:04 a.m. Friday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. An autopsy Saturday found that she died of heart disease, with contributing factors listed as chronic drug use and heat stress, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Mark Locerquist, 53, of the 1500 block of North Pulaski Road, was pronounced dead at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center at 1:24 p.m. on Friday. An autopsy Saturday found that he died of heart disease and heat stress.

An unidentified man, believed to be in his 30s, was found unresponsive Friday at 2 S. Cicero Ave., according to the medical examiner’s office. He was pronounced dead at Loretto Hospital at 9 p.m. Friday. An autopsy Saturday found that he died of heat stroke.

Linda Figgures, 46, was found unresponsive at her home in the 6600 block of South Damen Avenue and pronounced dead at Holy Cross Hospital at 11:57 p.m. Friday. An autopsy Saturday found that she died of heat stroke, with obesity a contributing factor, the medical examiner’s office said.

Autopsies performed Friday by the medical examiner's office found that heat stress, along with heart disease, factored into the deaths of four people who died on Thursday.

On Thursday, autopsies confirmed the first two heat-related deaths of the season in Cook County.

Cook County Experienced 18 heat-related deaths by August 2011.

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