Carbon Monoxide Kills Cortlandt Couple

CORTLANDT, NY — A Cortlandt couple died at their home on Skytop Drive, apparently of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The bodies of Cornelius Dennis, 86, and Joan Dennis, 85, were discovered on May 26, after a neighbor noticed three days of newspapers outside the residence.

The New York State Police from the Cortlandt barracks were called to their home and investigated their deaths. Initial investigation suggests the victims returned home, and inadvertently left their vehicle running in the garage, leading to a build-up of carbon monoxide, police said. The colorless, odorless, poison gas is thought to have caused their deaths on May 23.

Key Facts From The Centers For Disease Control

• Every year, at least 430 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning.
• Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency department each year due to accidental CO poisoning.
• Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen.
• When you inhale CO, your body replaces the oxygen in blood with CO.
• People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.

SEE: Carbon Monoxide Almost Claims 2 In Carmel

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