Cold weather claims 2 more victims in Illinois

Authorities are attributing two more deaths to cold weather in Illinois.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office reported Friday that a 57-year-old woman died of hypothermia and cold exposure with alcohol consumption as a contributing factor.

And in southern Illinois, a 46-year-old man likely died from the extreme cold earlier this week.

Perry County Coroner Paul Searby says a preliminary autopsy indicates that 46-year-old Anthony Jones of Du Quoin died of hypothermia, though toxicology reports are pending.

The Southern Illinoisan of Carbondale reports that a family member discovered Jones’ body on Tuesday afternoon in a small building he lived in. Searby says the building had minimal heat.

The deaths of at least nine Illinois residents have been attributed to the cold and snow this week.