Heat may have caused Kenmore woman's death

According to police reports, emergency medical personnel at the scene blamed the recent extreme heat for the death of a Kenmore woman, 64, on July 29.

The woman's name had not been released as of July 31 because officials had been unable to contact family members.

Reports said police and EMS responded about 9:10 p.m. to a residence in the Lakewood Villa mobile home park on Northeast 175th Street. The victim apparently was found in the home's living room.

Again, according to police, the woman shared the home with two other elderly roommates. All were hard of hearing and used sign language or other means to communicate. One roommate told police the victim was sitting in an easy chair in the home's living room and was asked if she was OK. The victim reportedly responded she was fine and her roommate left the living room for about five minutes.

Upon returning, the witness said she found the victim unresponsive. The witness described her as very warm to the touch. The witness also said she quickly called 911.

Police said medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene, also describing her as very warm. Medics told police the preliminary cause of death was cardiac arrest brought on by the extreme heat. Her roommates told police they did not know the victim's complete medical history, but she had suffered a stroke and was on a long list of medications. Police said several fans were operating in the home, but an interior thermostat said the living room's temperature was 95 degrees.

Because calls to family were not immediately returned, the victim's body was turned over to the King County Coroner's Office. It was unclear if an autopsy would be performed.

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