Woman dies from carbon monoxide at home

COOPER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Hoarding inside a home may have been a factor in the apparent carbon monoxide death of a 75-year-old woman.

Autopsy results are pending regarding Lulubell Rose Vanwezema, but it appears she died from being exposed to an extremely high level of carbon monoxide, police said.

She had been in poor health and was with family around 2 p.m. Thursday after being given antibiotics and released from a hospital. Family members found her dead around 4:30 p.m. in her home in the 8000 block of N. 14th Street in Cooper Township, according to a news release.

Family called 911 for help and also reported a strange smell coming from the residence.

Cooper Township Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene and noticed the high level of carbon monoxide. The 800 parts per million level that was recorded in her house is about 400 times higher than what is considered safe.

Vanwezema was found in a chair with her pet Chihuahua at her feet. Firefighters were able to resuscitate her pet.

Her brother told 24 Hour News 8 that hoarded items had blocked every vent to the furnace, possibly causing it to malfunction. Authorities said the furnace appears to be the culprit, as a blockage in the chimney and soot inside the house are evidence.

Vanwezema's family told 24 Hour News 8 she had a history of hoarding. Family said they cleaned her home about a year ago, but it appears she compiled too many items again.