Foul play is not suspected after a couple was found dead in their garden in Monticello earlier this week, authorities said.
Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober said his agency responded at 11:12 a.m. Wednesday to the 800 block of Bowser Road after a caller reported finding Robert Pearson, 88, and his wife, Beatrice, 86, outside their home.
Gober said the caller was a friend who had been asked by the couple's out-of-state daughter to check on the Pearsons when she had not heard from them in some time.
The last known contact made with the Pearsons was May 19, according to the sheriff's office.
Authorities said Beatrice Pearson is believed to have died after tripping on a brick, causing her to fall and hit her head. Her husband is believed to have died of heat exhaustion.
The bodies have been sent to the state Crime Laboratory for an autopsy, Gober said.
State Desk on 05/27/2016