It’s odorless, colorless, tasteless, but carbon monoxide gas can be very deadly.
An elderly couple died in their Osprey town house overnight, and the “silent killer” may be to blame.
Deputies found one in bed, the other, on the floor.
Neighbors watched in disbelief as Sarasota fire crews worked to ventilate units attached to the home of 88 year old James Livingston and his wife, 81 year old Sharon.
Neighbor and friend, Ernst Waldeck said Sharon was an ex-dean for the University of Boston. James was a physics professor at M.I.T.
They recently sold a home in Boston to move near the water. “It’s very tragic because they were looking forward to go back and start that new life at the Boston waterside” said Waldeck.
When Waldeck returned home Thursday night, he noticed the couple’s trash cans out, the paper not picked up and a light on inside.
“We rung the bell. There was no answer. So I said, it’s late, so I went around the house to look whether i could look into the bedroom, but all the blinds were closed shut” said Waldeck.
Investigators believe carbon monoxide from one of the couple’s cars, left running in the garage, may be to blame. “I can’t say that’s what caused this, cuz it’s under investigation, but it is a time for me to warn individuals to take the extra measure to make sure your vehicles are turned off” said Mike Hartley, Sarasota County Assistant Fire Chief.
Carbon monoxide detectors are a sure way to prevent this kind of tragedy.
They are sold at Home Depot, Lowe’s and other stores.
No word if the couple had CO detectors in their condo.
