Associated Press
9:42 PM CST, January 22, 2008
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - A woman who apparently turned off the heat in her home to save energy was found frozen to death in her bed, a LaPorte County official said.
Deputy Coroner Mark Huffman said Stella Chambers, 61, was found under the covers in her bed in her rural Michigan City home on Monday. She was wearing a hat and several layers of clothing, he said.
"She definitely must have had an issue with the utilities. Unfortunately, it didn't do any good," said Huffman, who ruled the cause of death hypothermia from exposure to the bitter cold inside the home.
Some of the windows inside the residence were iced over, and the water in the toilet was frozen solid, police said.
Investigators found the pilot light on her furnace was burning, although the thermostat was turned off. Several electric space heaters were in the home, but all of them were either shut off or unplugged.
"She was trying to conserve energy. There was no reason financially to have turned it off," Huffman said.
The woman's cousin, Ralph Martin, said conserving energy was an example of the frugal life she tried to lead.
"She may not have realized how cold it was going to get," Martin said.
Now that dedication. R.I.P.
9:42 PM CST, January 22, 2008
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - A woman who apparently turned off the heat in her home to save energy was found frozen to death in her bed, a LaPorte County official said.
Deputy Coroner Mark Huffman said Stella Chambers, 61, was found under the covers in her bed in her rural Michigan City home on Monday. She was wearing a hat and several layers of clothing, he said.
"She definitely must have had an issue with the utilities. Unfortunately, it didn't do any good," said Huffman, who ruled the cause of death hypothermia from exposure to the bitter cold inside the home.
Some of the windows inside the residence were iced over, and the water in the toilet was frozen solid, police said.
Investigators found the pilot light on her furnace was burning, although the thermostat was turned off. Several electric space heaters were in the home, but all of them were either shut off or unplugged.
"She was trying to conserve energy. There was no reason financially to have turned it off," Huffman said.
The woman's cousin, Ralph Martin, said conserving energy was an example of the frugal life she tried to lead.
"She may not have realized how cold it was going to get," Martin said.
Now that dedication. R.I.P.
