Cold Claims 20th Life in Cook County

A 79-year-old Burbank man died from hypothermia and cold exposure Monday, marking the 20th cold-related death in Cook County this season. 

Elieser DeJesus, of the 8600 block of Mansfield Avenue, also suffered from coronary artery disease. His death was ruled an accident. 

Sun-Times Media reports this is the first winter since 2008–2009 when the cold-related death toll reached similar proportions. That winter, 23 people perished; there were 14 cold-related deaths in each of the past two winters. 

Two weeks ago, an 86-year-old Oak Lawn woman died of hypothermia after she was found outside her South Meade Avenue home in the snow.