County coroner probes two unrelated deaths

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

August 29, 2008 12:12 am

— ASHTABULA — Two unrelated deaths are being studied by the Ashtabula County coroner’s office, investigators said Thursday night.
Foul play is not suspected in either case and autopsies conducted by the Cuyahoga County coroner’s office could provide tentative causes of death today, said James Baehr, coroner’s investigator.
The first was reported around noon at service/shopping plaza on Route 84 at Route 11 in Ashtabula Township, where the body of a woman was found in a vehicle, Baehr said. The deceased was identified as Jeanette Wuori, 51, of Ashtabula, he said.
Death may have occurred sometime Wednesday night or Thursday morning, Baehr said. It’s believed an employee at one of the businesses in the plaza may have called authorities, he said. Ashtabula County sheriff’s deputies were also sent to the scene.
Less than two hours later, a Youngstown man died while working on the Ashtabula Harbor lift bridge repair project, Baehr said. The victim, John Wilks IV, 50, was taken to Ashtabula County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Baehr said.
“It appears to be natural causes,” he said. “Life support was attempted.”
Ashtabula firefighters used an aerial truck to reach Wilks, who was working above street level on the bridge when he was stricken, according to reports. Firefighters were sent to the scene shortly before 1:30 p.m.

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