Elderly Couple Found Dead in South Carolina Home with "Extremely Hot" Temperatures

In a tragic incident, an elderly couple was discovered lifeless in their South Carolina home during a wellness check, where the temperature had reached an alarming 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The bodies of Joan Littlejohn, 84, and Glennwood Fowler, 82, had surpassed 106 degrees, according to a police report obtained by CBS News. The findings have raised concerns regarding the extreme heat inside the residence, although no signs of foul play were found.

The incident unfolded on January 6 when an officer was dispatched to the couple's residence after their family had not heard from them for three days. Forced to enter through the bedroom window, the officer was confronted with the distressing scene of both individuals found deceased in their bed. Authorities noted that there was no evidence of a struggle or any suspicious activity.

From the moment they entered the house, the responding officer immediately noticed the abnormally high temperatures. Medical professionals, who arrived shortly after, registered body temperatures exceeding 106 degrees Fahrenheit, the maximum reading on their equipment. An average human body temperature should range between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit. When the core temperature exceeds 104 degrees, immediate cooling and medical attention are necessary, according to Mayo Clinic.

The situation escalated further when the fire department arrived. Even with the house exposed to the cold weather for approximately 20 minutes, the interior temperature had risen to over 120 degrees, as revealed in the police report. The firefighters headed to the basement where they discovered the source of the intense heat: the heater and hot water heater. One firefighter described the heater as being so hot that it seemed as if the basement was on fire. Shockingly, the temperature of the heater itself was measured at a staggering 1,000 degrees.

Spartanburg Coroner Rusty Clevenger expressed concern over the excessively high temperatures inside the residence, stating that his office will continue to investigate the matter. However, there have been no indications of carbon dioxide levels being at dangerous levels. Meanwhile, the victims' family disclosed to the responding officer that both the hot water heater and heater were not functioning, causing the temperature inside the home to drop significantly. In an attempt to address the issue, family members attempted to fix the hot water heater but ultimately left the residence.

As authorities try to piece together the series of events that led to this tragedy, questions remain regarding the excessive heat in the couple's home. The investigation will aim to determine the exact cause that rendered the heater to reach such extreme temperatures and the subsequent impact on Joan Littlejohn and Glennwood Fowler.