Air conditioner may have caused heat death

Authorities say an 88-year-old Illinois woman's heat-related death may have been caused by her accidentally turning off her air conditioner. Dorothy D. Scott was found dead in her Troy home Sunday, the Bellevue (Ill.) News-Democrat reported. "The findings of the coroner's physical examination and scene investigation, along with the medical history of the decedent, were provided to a forensic pathologist for review, with the determination made that the decedent succumbed to heat-related illness, or heat stroke, to which the decedent would be more susceptible due to her pre-existing heart disease and hypertension," Chief Deputy Coroner Roger D. Smith said. She was discovered by family members who received an alarming message from her, in which she said she was ill. Officials at the scene noted Scott's air conditioner was on "heat" instead of "cool." "It was determined that the air conditioner in the residence functioned normally, however the thermostat had been switched from 'cool' to 'heat,' taking the air conditioner offline," Smith said. "The decedent, who did suffer from bouts of disorientation, may have inadvertently switched the unit to that position while making an adjustment."