Heat Wave Blamed for 3rd Death

7/26/11 – The death toll from last week’s heat wave in Wisconsin has risen to three – and a possible fourth death is being investigated. State officials said yesterday that an 80-year-old Illinois man died from heat-related causes while staying at his second home in Marquette County. Officials said the man had underlying health issues when he collapsed after spending time in the 90-plus temperatures. It happened last Tuesday. Meanwhile, Polk County authorities said an autopsy will determine if 25-year-old Matthew Coon of rural Luck died from the heat. His body was found Sunday in a wooded area, after he was missing since last Wednesday. Officials said Coon was in a vehicle with friends when he decided to get out and walk home. The temperature was in the mid-90’s at the time. Coon’s family reported him missing a couple days later. A search took place during the weekend. Polk County Sheriff Pete Johnson said the death is not suspicious, and it might have been caused by the heat. Wisconsin’s other two heat-related deaths were those of an 82-year-old woman in Crawford County, and a 65-year-old in Columbia County.