Heat blamed in death of downstate woman

GLEN CARBON -- Madison County's coroner blames the region's stifling heat for the suspected heatstroke death of a 61-year-old southwestern Illinois woman.

Steve Nonn says Catherine Smith of Glen Carbon was found unresponsive late Tuesday night in her home, where authorities say the temperature was 93 degrees. Her body temperature was 106 degrees.

Nonn says the home's air conditioning wasn't working, and she was using fans. He also says Smith had chronic medical problems that raised her susceptibility to the heat.

High temperatures in the area have topped 90 degrees for more than a week. An excessive heat warning remains in effect for the area through Saturday and temperatures will continue to reach into the 90s through Monday.