Autopsy: Cold Contributed To Death Of NJ Woman Who Was Shoveling Snow

MAHWAH, N.J. (CBSNewYorkAP)-- An autopsy shows a New Jersey woman whose snow-covered body was found by children died of coronary artery disease while apparently shoveling snow during the weekend storm.

Cold also was a contributing factor in 64-year-old Mary Wall's death. Her body was found in front of her Mahwah home with a snow shovel in her hand.

Bergen County spokesman Michael Pagan tells The Record newspaper the medical examiner could not tell the exact time of death because of the effects freezing temperatures had on the body.

Shoveling snow puts an enormous strain on the heart, as reported by CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez. If you do shovel and get out of breath, feel chest tightness or pain, officials say to stop immediately and get help as it could be the start of a heart attack.

Coronary artery disease and cold also are blamed for the death of woman whose body was found in her car in a fast-food restaurant parking lot in Hackensack on Monday.

Seventy-eight-year-old Frances McQuaige had reportedly told workers at the restaurant on Friday night that she was afraid to drive home to Medford, New York, due to the snowstorm.

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