Elderly couple died from a fall, heart attack

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 8:31 PM Monday, February 1, 2010

FRANKLIN TWP. — Melvin and Dorothy Rudd died within minutes of each other on the back deck of their home, according to Warren County officials.

Dorothy, 70, fell this weekend on a set of stairs and hit her head, Doyle Burke, Warren County Coroner’s investigator, said Monday, Feb. 1.

She died of blunt force trauma to the head from the fall, according to autopsy results.

“It is clear she fell and he went out to help her,” Burke said.

An autopsy of 76-year-old Melvin indicates he died of a massive heart attack, Burke said.

Warren County Coroner Dr. Russell Uptegove will sign off on the manner of death for both when he returns from vacation, but Burke said Dorothy’s death likely will be listed as accidental and her husband’s as natural.

The couple was found by family members at about 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, outside their home in the 3600 block of McLean Road. They were not wearing clothing appropriate for the frigid temperatures, Warren County sheriff’s deputies said.

Both had health issues that included Alzheimer’s symptoms, said Sgt. Tony Workman.

“You have to list the weather as a contributing factor in their death, but it’s not what killed them,” Burke said. He added the Rudds did not languish in the cold before dying.

Burke said it is possible Melvin’s heart attack occurred when he was trying to lift Dorothy.

“He had an extensive history of heart problems,” Burke said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.

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