99-year-old woman is Cook County’s seventh cold-related death

A 99-year-old woman who died of cold exposure Wednesday in the South Side Auburn Gresham neighborhood is Cook County’s seventh cold-related death of the season.

Modsite Dearing was pronounced dead at her home in the 8700 block of South Parnell at 10:16 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy Thursday found she died of hardened arteries and hypothermia due to cold exposure, according to the medical examiner’s office. Her death was ruled an accident.

Police could not immediately provide information on Dearing’s death.

At least six other people have died of cold-related causes in Cook County since Oct. 9, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Two additional deaths are likely cold-related, but determinations on the cause and manner of their deaths were inconclusive Thursday pending further studies, a spokesman said.

Last season there were at least 32 cold-related deaths in the county.