Man found dead at Ypsilanti District Library branch Tuesday; medical examiner to determine if heat played a role in death
A library patron found a man in his 60s dead in the restroom at the Ypsilanti District Library’s Whittaker Road branch Tuesday, according to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department.
The man may have been out walking or jogging Tuesday morning, although that hasn’t yet been determined, said Derrick Jackson, spokesman for the sheriff’s department. No foul play is suspected, and the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner’s Office hasn’t made a determination on the cause of death, Jackson said. The man had a medical history that included a stroke one year ago, Jackson said.
The death occurred on a scorching day that reached 94 degrees and pushed the heat index to near 100 degrees. It tied the record high, recorded in 1933. A National Weather Service heat advisory issued Tuesday in effect to midnight today.
The man found at the library carried a cell phone but no identification, Jackson said. He was known to be a runner.
The Ypsilanti Township Fire Department and Huron Valley Ambulance also responded to the 10:30 a.m. call and provided basic life support services, said Ypsilanti Township Fire Capt. Dave Crescio.
The patron found the man unresponsive in the men’s restroom at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the library, 5577 Whittaker Road, said Jill Morey, director of the Ypsilanti District Library. Staff called 911.
“The (sheriff’s) deputies came over immediately and confirmed he was dead,” Morey said. “We regret that that happened. If he was succumbed by heat that would be really very sad. “
The library opened at 9 a.m., Morey said, and no one saw the man inside the building before he was found in the men’s room.
Sheriff’s department officials were working to locate and notify the man’s family Wednesday, Jackson said.
Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
UM Rocks
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 6:28 p.m.
Just found out this was my old science teacher from Scarlett. RIP!!
A Commenter
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
I've known the person who died for over 30 years. He was an avid runner and speculating about ICEs in a cell phone, exercising in the heat, etc..won't bring him back and is not constructive to helping his friends and family who are grieving. He was a great person who touched the lives of many people.
discgolfgeek
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 12:21 p.m.
Running, likely on hot pavement or sidewalk, in hot temperatures is tempting fate. I was out playing disc golf in that heat (we walk to our disc, not run) the last couple of days and I was dehydrating at a very high rate -- it took 2 qts of water to stay hydrated. My condolences to his family and friends.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
How did they find out who he was? To have his medical history and know he was a runner, they must have identified him.
A Commenter
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
They found his family and they were notified.
Turd Ferguson
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
@jns131, I don't, nor do I allow my relatives to list "Dad", "Mom", etc. that's less information a perp needs to know if a lost phone is found. Stay safe this summer.
Turd Ferguson
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.
He could've paid attention to the PSA's for I.C.E. = In Case of Emergency and listed someone in the address book of his cell phone.
Ann English
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
Good thing the cell phone battery was sufficiently charged for a call.
Dot
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
he had his cell phone on him. easy enough to make one call and be informed as to his identity.
porchbear
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
It's very sad that this man died alone. My condolences go out to his family.
Roadman
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 6:27 p.m.
This is startling. Is there central air conditioning at the library?
obviouscomment
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 9:34 p.m.
i agree with smokeblwr...the restrooms at the library are just inside the main entrance so it would be easy to just stop in to use the restroom
Bob
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
smokeblwr - glad you're not speculating . . .
smokeblwr
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 : 6:58 p.m.
Yes, and it is probably the reason he went to the library. I don't want to speculate, but it sounds like the story maybe he was out running and got overwhelmed by the heat. Went into the library to cool off, may have not felt well and gone to the restroom, and.....