Spate of cold-related deaths in Chicago

[Hannah Bell]

On Saturday, Leroy Charles of South Chicago died from carbon monoxide poisoning in his home. Charles was 45 years old and leaves a family behind.

According to the fire department, carbon monoxide fumes in his home were at 60 times the normal level. Few other details surrounding his death have been reported. However, representatives from utility giant People’s Gas have confirmed that the company had turned off the gas supply to the home, and that it was subsequently turned back on incorrectly.

Chicago resident Edward Henderson, age 52, was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning on Wednesday, November 24...

Just five days before, 42-year-old Lydia Watkins was found dead with elevated levels of carbon monoxide in her blood in the same apartment building. According to People’s Gas, the supply lines to the apartment building had been disconnected after an inspection revealed the water heater and boiler were not in good working order...

On Friday, December 3, the Will County Coroner’s office reported 61-year-old Thomas G. Sands of Joliet was found dead without a coat or shoes in a field near a homemade shelter he had been residing in.

Two days later, on Sunday, December 5, 44-year-old Robert K. Mullins, also homeless in Joliet, was found dead under snow next to a vacant grocery store...

On the same day, Paula Spika, age 50, was found frozen in a ditch...partially frozen in ice, including her head. There were no signs of trauma...

On Sunday, Cook County recorded its first confirmed cold death of the season after Krzystoff Pekala, age 34, of the Northwest Side, was found dead on his garage floor.

[Divernan]

1. Rest in peace, poor Americans.

One might refer to them as Citizens United - - - in Death.