‘Nobody should have to die like that’: Couple dies in Fresno amid extreme heat wave

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Rhonda Simengaard’s parents have lived in Fresno for the past 30 years. On July 9, a neighbor called to tell her that they passed away.

“I called my mom on Tuesday before my doctor’s appointment. She was sleeping, so I said, ‘You want me to call you back later?’ and she said, ‘Yes,”‘ she said. “By the time I got back from my doctor’s appointment and was going to call her back, I already had a missed call from the neighbor and by the time I called back, I heard the emergency vehicles, and I knew.”

Emergency crews confirmed her dad had passed away first followed by her mother.

“He was her caregiver,” she said. “She didn’t have her pain medicines. She didn’t have her coffee. She didn’t have water.”

The next day, Simengaard flew down to California from her home in Oregon.

When she walked in, she noticed her parent’s swamp cooler and external AC unit weren’t working. Neighbors had also told her there was a recent power outage causing them to lose access to their fans inside the home. Simengard says it felt like a sauna.

“Nobody should have to live like that and nobody should have to die like that,” she said.

In addition, her father and mother were both battling health conditions. Both had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. Her mom also had dementia.

“She was just so confused, I’m sure,” Simengaard said.

According to Dr. Jessie Werner, Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at UCSF, triple-digit temperatures are dangerous for young children and older adults.

“The very young and the older population are really, really at risk,” she said. “As we age, you’re just naturally at risk. That’s number one. The other thing is if you have any underlying health conditions that can put you at risk and if you’re taking any medications.”

Although it’s still very hot across the Central Valley, there are a few different ways residents can keep cool.

“If you’re going to stay at home, you should get into a cold shower or cold bath and immerse yourself in cold water. Even lying on a bed and putting cold towels, wet cold towels, wet cold blankets, anything that’s wet and cold on you can be helpful with a fan,” said Dr. Werner.

It’s also good to remember to check on other community members when temperatures are extreme. That’s one message both Dr. Werner and Simengaard resonate with.

“If you know the person, if you don’t know the person either way, we need to be looking out for each other and kind of keeping a close eye on anyone that you know or see that because everyone’s at risk here in Fresno,” Dr. Werner said.

“As a society, a lot of people are just out for themselves. But get to really know your neighbors and care about them. Enough to get past the stubbornness and say, ‘No, I’m going to help you,”‘ Simengaard said.

Because of a recent hip surgery, Simengaard is struggling to pay for funeral costs. Those who would like to support her can click here to do so.

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