A 63-year-old woman found dead in her Tigard independent living facility is suspected to have died from hypothermia, authorities reported on Tuesday. The woman was discovered on Monday inside her residence at Summerfield Estates, a retirement community at the 11200 block of Southwest Summerfield Drive.
Despite not having an official cause of death, the Washington County Health and Human Services are investigating the incident as potentially linked to the recent cold weather hitting the area. "Further tests will determine cause and manner of death. Confirmation will not be complete for several weeks to months," was a statement to quickly issue from Washington County Health and Human Services, as obtained by the Forest Grove News Times.
According to the Tigard Police Department, the thermostat in her room was turned down and a window left open. Police spokesperson Kelsey Anderson told The Oregonian/OregonLive, "Staff at the Summerfield Estates called officers to the scene about 11 a.m. Monday after finding the 63-year-old woman dead earlier that morning."
The executive director of Summerfield Estates, Tracey Johns, pointed out that residents are in control of their apartment's temperatures, signaling to personal autonomy over such critical decisions. This incident marks the first suspected hypothermia-related death in Washington County this year. However, it's important to duly note that Multnomah County has reported two similar deaths due to the frigid conditions, as detailed by KPTV.
This tragic case has raised concerns about the vulnerability of senior citizens during harsh weather, even within the apparently safe confines of assisted living facilities. The Washington County Health and Human Services are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman's death.
