3 more Illinoisans die from heat-related causes

ALTON, Ill. — Coroners have determined the sweltering summer heat is responsible for three more deaths in Illinois.

The Cook County medical examiner on Wednesday ruled the cause of two deaths as heat stroke. In Alton, a man was found dead in his home where a window air-conditioning unit had been shut down to save money.

The Cook County deaths were identified as 56-year-old Charles Redmon and 45-year-old Ernest Crossley. Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn says the body of 63-year-old Jerry Besterfeldt was found Wednesday morning by his live-in girlfriend in their Alton home.

The Cook County medical examiner noted it has recorded 18 heat-related deaths to date.

Nonn says Besterfeldt’s core body temperature was 104 degrees. The room temperature was nearly 94 degrees, even after the overnight cooling.