Officials suspect deaths of two elderly victims at Hemet RV park heat-related

UPDATED: Tuesday, July 10, 4 p.m.

HEMET —  Officials investigating the deaths of an elderly couple Sunday afternoon have released that the deaths may have been heat-related after valley temperatures over the weekend soared into the mid 110’s. Although officials are still waiting for a coroner’s report regarding the cause of death, they do not suspect foul play in the pair’s tragic death.

Sunday’s deaths were the second and third suspected heat-related deaths that happened over the hotter than average weekend, after a Hemet resident died while trying to walk home from Hemet Valley Hospital. He died just two-tenths of a mile from the hospital after being treated Friday night for a heat-related illness.

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Officials began investigating the deaths Sunday afternoon after fire personnel found the deceased couple after responding to a medical aid call at the Mountain Lyon RV Resort, at 235 S. Lyon Ave.

A person who called 911 reportedly found the pair inside their RV. The caller told emergency dispatchers the couple was unresponsive and cold to the touch.

Officials have not released the names or ages of the elderly victims pending further investigation and notification of their families.

During their initial investigation, officers determined “there was nothing found to be suspicious or any foul play regarding the deaths,” Hemet Police Lt. Eddie Pust explained today in an email response for information regarding Hemet PD’s ongoing investigation.

“It may have been heat related but that would have to be determined by the Coroner,” said Pust.

Hemet PD’s investigation is continuing and officials have reminded citizens to take advantage of the city’s “cooling centers” when valley temperatures begin to reach dangerous levels.

The city currently has two cooling centers where those affected by the heat can receive food and nourishment while sitting in air-conditioned comfort. Those centers can be found on specific hot days at: Simpson Center, at 305 E. Devonshire Ave., and Salvation Army, at 340 S. Palm Ave.

For more information on how to stay safe during extreme temperatures visit: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-How-to-Stay-Safe-in-Hot-Weather

Just days before Sunday’s tragic deaths, Hemet Fire Department officials released the following hot weather tips:
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, or use an umbrella for shade.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing.
• Slow down—rest in the shade or a cool place when possible.
• Never leave a child, elderly, disabled person, or animal alone in a vehicle.
• Keep shaded areas with fresh water for outdoor animals.
• Turn on your air conditioner.
• Check on friends and neighbors who are elderly, have medical conditions, or are at higher risk for problems when it is very hot.
• If you do not have an air conditioner, use a fan, make sure your windows are open, and visit a cool center.
• Take a cool shower or bath.
• When it is hotter than 90˚ ,visit a friend that has air conditioning in their home or a cool place like a mall, a library or a senior center.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Two elderly victims reported dead at Hemet RV park

HEMET — Officials are investigating after an elderly couple was reportedly found deceased at a Hemet RV park earlier today. The bodies of the couple were discovered inside a recreational vehicle at Mountain Lyon RV Resort at 235 S. Lyon Ave.

It is not yet known if high temperatures in the San Jacinto Valley over the weekend may have contributed to the couple’s death, but temperatures over the last few days have reached into the mid-110’s. Valley temperatures on Friday reportedly reached 113 degrees and were even higher in some Inland Empire and desert regions.

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City of Hemet firefighters and an AMR ambulance crew were dispatched to the residence regarding a medical aid call shortly before 6 p.m., after a person called 911 to report an unknown type emergency at the location. The 911 caller told emergency dispatchers a couple was unresponsive and cold to the touch.

Officials arrived within minutes and located two elderly victims deceased inside an RV. Officials requested Hemet PD respond to the scene to assist with investigating the cause of the couple’s death.

As the investigation was getting underway, officers were seen interviewing area residents as well as a Desert Towing tow truck driver, but it was not immediately known how or if the tow employee was involved in the incident.

Officials have not yet released any information regarding the incident or their investigation, which is active and ongoing.

This is a developing story that will be updated as additional information is available.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.