At least three in St. Louis dead from heat wave

ST. LOUIS -- At least three people in the St. Louis area have died from the latest heat wave, health officials said.

The region finally got some relief as showers moved in Tuesday evening, bringing much cooler weather. After several days of temperatures in the upper 90s and low 100s, Wednesday's weather was about 20 degrees cooler.

Health officials confirmed that a man found dead early Monday in St. Louis and another found dead in Cahokia, Ill., later that day both died from heat-related causes.

The third heat death was in Lincoln County, north of St. Louis. Pauline Baker, 72, was found dead Sunday evening on the couch of her home, which did not have air conditioning.

The 95-year-old St. Louis man was the second victim in this city this summer. His name was not released. An elderly woman died during another heat wave in June.

The man was last seen alive about 2 p.m. Sunday. A relative found him about 12:30 a.m. Monday. Emergency workers said his body temperature was 108 degrees.

His home had air conditioning but it was not working, and the windows were closed, authorities said.

A woman in her 50s was found dead at her home in the city, but the medical examiner has not confirmed the death was heat-related.

In Cahokia, 73-year-old Francis Straub was found dead in his home, which did not have a working air conditioner. Relatives had urged him to spend the night with family, but he declined, police said.