Vienna, WV – A Christmas Eve tragedy left one Vienna man dead and his wife in unknown condition after a carbon monoxide leak in an apartment off Rosemar Road, officials said.
Their names were not released on Wednesday, providing time for family members to be notified, said Capt. Mark King with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
The 86-year-old man and his 76-year-old wife, residents of 160 Covington Way, Vienna, both suffered from varying degrees of Alzheimer’s disease, King said.
The Alzheimer’s is believed to be a contributing factor in the accident which claimed the husband’s life, King said.
The incident is not considered suspicious, King said.
“It appears to be a tragic accident,” King said.
The vehicle belonging to the couple was found still-running in the garage, King said. It is believed that one of the couple turned the vehicle on and forgot that it was running, King said.
The vehicle is believed to be the source of the carbon monoxide which filled the home, King said.
The couple were found by their daughter around 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, King said.
The 86-year-old man was declared dead at the scene, King said.
The 76-year-old woman was still alive when she was taken from the scene, King said. No condition was available on her Wednesday.
The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department assisted the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.
There did not appear to be a carbon monoxide detector at the apartment, said Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Scholl.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer,” Scholl said. “You don’t know you have it until it’s too late,” he said.
State law requires a smoke detector in every rental home, but a carbon monoxide detector is not required, Scholl said.
“I would like to see the law changed to include carbon monoxide detectors as well,” Scholl said.