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Officials identify two men who died from possible heat-related illness

Posted at 5:23 PM, Jul 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-28 18:57:17-04
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office has identified two men who died this week from a possible heat related illness. 
 

Officials say 60-year-old Tony Raybon and 54-year-old Peter Bryfczynski died in separate incidents. 

The Medical Examiner's Office says it is still waiting on toxicology reports on both deaths, but that heat related illness hasn't been ruled out yet. 

Paramedics responded to the 1500 block of North 38th street Wednesday morning, and found Raybon dead inside of his home. 

The Medical Examiner's Office recorded his body temperature at 103 degrees. A family member reported to the Medical Examiner's Office that Raybon had a history of heroin abuse but he had decided to stop using on Monday. 

 
He was last seen by his wife around 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Officials did not find any evidence of illicit drug use in his house. 


Neighbors say many older residents in that neighborhood don't have air conditioning. 

The second death occurred when officials say on Monday morning near Miller Park, Peter Bryfczynski passed out from possible heat exhaustion. He died Wednesday night. 

 
One of the Bryfczynski's friends tells TODAY's TMJ4 that Bryfczynski worked on the janitorial staff at Miller Park and was dropped off at work Monday around 7 a.m.
 
According to the friend, Bryfczynski left work around 11 a.m. planning to walk home when he passed out along Ambulance Way near the VA hospital. 
 
The Medical Examiner's Office said when he was admitted into the ER, he had a body temperature of 109 degrees.
 
"These deaths involved at least one or more risk factors associated with heat susceptibility," said Paul Biedrzycki with the City of Milwaukee Health Department.
 

"That includes the lack of a working air conditioner, chronic underlying health conditions, older in age, over 50 and involving medications that inhibit cooling or sweating." 

Temperatures are expected to climb back into the upper 80s by the middle of next week. The health department says they activate their heat plan when the heat index reaches 95 degrees. The heat index is a combination of the outside temperature and the humidity levels. 

 
The Wisconsin Department of Health recommends covering windows during hot days, using fans, or if you don't have an air conditioner, going somewhere cool during the day. 
According to the friend, Bryfczynski left work around 11 a.m. planning to walk home when he passed out along Ambulance Way near the VA hospital. 
 
TODAY's TMJ4 received a statement from the president of Performance Clean, the company that Bryfczynski worked for, that read: 
 
“We were saddened to hear of the passing of our employee, and our deepest condolences go to his family. He worked a five hour shift on Monday morning but did not report any illness during his time at the ballpark. Our understanding is that he became ill later in the day and unfortunately passed away last night."