2 inmate deaths might be heat-related

SPRINGFIELD — Preliminary autopsy results show at least one Pontiac prison inmate’s death this month was heat-related.

Also Friday, Randolph County officials confirmed that a 53-year-old Menard prisoner died July 1.

Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says initial findings show that heat played a role in 65-year-old Richard Anderson’s July 8 death. But she says the Pontiac inmate also had heart disease and cancer.

Another Pontiac inmate died the same weekend. Jerry Singer was 60. Livingston County Coroner Michael Burke has said heat could have been a factor in Singer’s death but he has not seen autopsy results.

A Randolph County coroner’s spokeswoman says 53-year-old Thomas Testa died at Menard prison. He had “an extensive medical history” but autopsy results are unavailable.

A Corrections Department spokeswoman says officials are still investigating.