Medical examiner releases reports after 2 probable heat-related deaths on July 27th



MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- Officials with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office have released reports related to two probable heat-related deaths that occurred this week.

60-year-old Tony Raybon was pronounced dead on Wednesday, July 27th at 12:30 p.m. at a home near 38th and Cherry.

The preliminary manner of death is listed as "natural" in the report from the ME's Office.



The report indicates Raybon had a history of heroin use. The report states that Raybon had apparently decided to quit his heroin use on July 25th and had been confined to a bedroom since.

The report states that there was no trauma noted to Raybon's body, and no signs of illicit drug abuse in the home.

Raybon's wife reported he looked very ill on the morning of July 27th, and she reported he had not eaten or drank much in the three days since trying to quit using heroin.

According to the report, it was notably warm in the home, though an accurate reading from the thermostat could not be obtained.

Raybon's body temperature at the time of his death was 103 degrees.

"It was very sad to hear that because it is so hot and I understand when people don`t have what they need in order to stay cool," Jeri Young said.



54-year-old Peter Bryfczynski was pronounced dead on Wednesday night -- shortly after 9:00 p.m. at the VA Hospital on National Avenue.

The preliminary manner of death is listed as "natural" in the report from the ME's Office.

The report states that Bryfczynski had a core temperature recorded at 109.4 degrees upon admission to the VA Hospital.

According to the report, Bryfczynski collapsed in the parking lot while walking to work at Miller Park.

The report states that Bryfczynski lived across the street from the hospital.

"It`s certainly -- it`s a tragic scenario and it`s a good opportunity to remind ourselves that we need to protect ourselves from the heat," Dr. David Tennenbaum with the Zablocki VA Medical Center said.

Miller Park



On the day Bryfczynski died, the heat index was 90 -- which Dr. Tennenbaum said can lead to heat stroke if a middle-aged person is on certain medication or has a chronic illness.

"They lack the thermal regulation that we all have to control our temperature. If you see things like altered behavior, if people seem confused to you or if they start seeming flushed or very pale in the setting of a warm environment, that could be a red flag that they`re having heat stroke," Dr. Tennenbaum said.

Greg Heath, owner and president of "Performance Clean," the company Bryfczynski worked for at Miller Park released the following statement to FOX6 News:

“We were saddened to hear of the passing of our employee, and our deepest condolences go to his family. He worked a five hour shift on Monday morning but did not report any illness during his time at the ballpark. Our understanding is that he became ill later in the day and unfortunately passed away last night."




These are the first two suspected heat-related deaths of the summer in Milwaukee.

In 2015, there were zero reported in Milwaukee County. Two years ago, there were five.