The North Canton Police Department reacted to a report of a suspicious parked vehicle on Sunday morning.
According to police, authorities arrived at Eastwoods Park about 10:56 a.m. and discovered the vehicle’s engine was running.
Officers reported that the 2004 Honda was occupied by two unresponsive occupants, who were both pronounced dead at the site.
According to police, there are no indicators of foul play, violence, or struggle linked with this occurrence at this time.
A preliminary assessment suggests that carbon monoxide was present in the vehicle at levels that exceeded those considered safe.
The North Canton Fire Department assisted at the scene and validated the findings.
According to Cleveland EMS Commander Ellen Kazimer, carbon monoxide occurrences are less common in the summer, but they are still possible—and can be difficult to spot because symptoms may appear to be ordinary illnesses.
“But if you do encounter something, oftentimes it’s flu-like symptoms,” Kazimer replied. “You’ve got a headache. Perhaps going outside or getting away from whatever atmosphere you’re in relieves the headache. Alternatively, you get flu-like symptoms and then remove yourself. If you’re at home, go somewhere, and say, “Oh, I’m feeling better.” You return home, and I’m like, “I’m just not feeling right.” These are the subtleties. That’s what makes it difficult.
Kazimer further stated that many carbon monoxide instances are tied to heating sources during the colder months, but exposure can occur in warmer weather under particular conditions.
“So, summertime we don’t see a lot of carbon monoxide issues because they’re often caused by heating sources that are not properly ventilated,” Kazimer stated. “But if you do encounter something, oftentimes it’s flu-like symptoms.”
She also mentioned that in some cases, vehicle ventilation can play a role.
“Sometimes it has to do with the windows being up and the air conditioner and that individual vehicle not ventilating correctly,” Kazimer stated.
The Stark County Coroner’s Office was on the site and will perform an investigation to determine the official cause and method of death.
According to authorities, the individuals involved are a 22-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man, whose identities are being suppressed until notification of next of kin.
North Canton Police said this is an ongoing investigation, and no other information is available at this time.
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