Hypothermia ruled as cause of 2 people’s deaths

From staff reports

According to both Clarion state police and Clarion County Coroner Dan Shingledecker, two Clarion County people found dead last month in Paint Township died of hypothermia.

Samuel Paine, 78, and Lucille Paine, 80, were both found dead on Feb. 20, at a crashed vehicle near Bigley Road.

The Paines were discovered as police searched the area for Clarion University student James Whitman, 21, of Florida, who was also found dead nearby, police said.

Police previously said Whitman was reported missing at about 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 20, and their investigation led them to Miola and McCleary roads, where troopers and firefighters searched the woods toward Toby Creek.

While looking for Whitman, police said searchers found the Paines and their vehicle over a hillside near Bigley Road and the Toby Creek Bridge. Police said Whitman was found dead approximately 100 feet above the Toby Creek Bridge on Bigley Road.

Police said the deaths of Whitman and the Paines are “completely unrelated,” and no foul play or intent to harm himself is suspected in Whitman’s death.

On Sunday, Shingledecker said the results of a toxicology report on Whitman’s death is still pending. He said the results will not likely be available for “months.”

From staff reports

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