Cause of death is undetermined: 88-year-old man, his 89-year-old wife found dead in their home
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office has announced the deaths of an elderly man and woman -- found dead in their home in the 2700 block of W. Roosevelt Drive on Monday, November 24th.
On Monday, the son of 88-year-old David Ford, and his wife, 89-year-old Anna Ford called police -- notifying them he hadn't heard from his parents all weekend, saying this was unusual for them. He asked police to check their welfare.
Police arrived at the home around 6:00 p.m. An officer didn't get an answer at the front door, and noticed several days worth of mail in the mailbox. The officer noticed lights and the TV on inside the home.
The officer was able to enter the home after noticing keys in the lock on the back door. When the officer entered the home, he observed David Ford dead on the floor. David Ford had a walker near him, and it appeared he may have been using it, but that he had fallen.
Anna Ford was found dead on the floor in an upstairs bedroom.
A Medical Examiner observed no signs of trauma to David or Anna, and nothing seemed concerning at the home. A carbon monoxide test was negative.
The Medical Examiner's report says David Ford was last known to be alive on Thursday, November 20th -- when a neighbor saw him.
David Ford's son told officials he last spoke with his father on Tuesday, November 18th -- saying he became concerned when he and his sister were unable to reach their parents, and so they called police.
David Ford's son said his father expressed no concerns when they spoke. He told officials his father had a history of prostate cancer, and was taking preventative medications. Ford's son told officials he was last in Milwaukee just before Halloween, when he noticed his dad seemed to be becoming more forgetful.
Anna Ford had a history of cancer, with her son telling officials he believed the chemotherapy had a big effect on her body. Anna also suffered from dementia, according to her son.
The Fords' son told officials his father took care of his mother, and that his mother was more bedridden.
The Fords celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in October.
The reports says the home was 90 degrees when officers entered -- something that surprised the Fords' son, who said his parents kept their home comfortable.
A Medical Examiner observed no alcohol in the home, and no drugs or drug paraphernalia. There were no toxic chemicals in the home, and the couple's medications were found in the kitchen, and they were found in good order. The furnace and water heater were found to be in good working order.
The manner of death for David and Anna Ford is undetermined, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.