Cold Weather Death: Woman In Coal City Dies By The Library

COAL CITY — A 41-year-old Coal City woman, Katherine Munchalfen, died over the weekend from the harsh cold weather, Grundy County Coroner John W. Callahan announced on Monday.

His office is investigating her death after Munchalfen was found dead outside the Coal City Public Library, on Sunday morning.

A maintenance employee was checking the inside of the library building when he discovered a female unresponsive outside an entrance to the building.

Coal City Police and Fire were summoned to library at approximately 7 a.m. Responders determined the woman had no signs of life, and the Coroner’s Office was notified.

Callahan announced that Munchalfen had been at a friend’s house the afternoon and evening of Saturday when, for unknown reasons, she left abruptly at approximately 8 p.m.

Munchalfen reportedly left the friend’s residence walking and not dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday afternoon and is pending toxicology results.

The death remains under investigation by Callahan’s Office and the Coal City Police Department, the coroner noted.