(La Porte County, IN) - Authorities are investigating the deaths of a man and his wife from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning outside La Porte. The bodies were discovered yesterday afternoon inside a home in the area of 350 North and 50 West in Center Township.

 

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson has identified the victims. They were 60-year-old Harrison Russell and 56-year-old Barbara Russell.

 

Full details are incomplete, but it appears someone else was found still alive. A medical helicopter was called to the scene. NIPSCO crews also showed up apparently to turn off the source of the suspected carbon monoxide.

 

Judging by the emergency radio traffic, it appears a carbon monoxide level of 200 parts per million was found inside the residence. Experts say a level of 20 ppm. is considered lethal over a period of time. 

 

Swanson said the official cause of death is awaiting the results of a toxicology test to verify if carbon monoxide was indeed in the victims' bloodstreams.  

 

We’ll provide more details on HTNN as they become available.