Couple found dead in home

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

A couple was found dead at noon Saturday in their home, where firefighters measured a high concentration of carbon monoxide; and accidental carbon monoxide poisoning is the likely cause of their deaths, according to a Mahoning County coroner’s investigator.

The deceased were identified as Brian and Shirley Sterling, age 52 and 47, respectively; and they were found dead in their residence at 4677 Burkey Road by their daughter, said Jesse Hoffman, coroner’s investigator.

The suspected source of the poisonous gas, which is odorless and colorless, was an SUV, which the couple’s daughter found still running in an attached garage, Hoffman said.

Hoffman estimated that the Sterlings died between midnight and 4 a.m. Saturday.

Police and firefighters had to ventilate the home after the bodies were found.

Hoffman said he didn’t see a carbon-monoxide detector in the residence and does not know if one was present, but he said he highly recommends such a detector in every home.

“It could save your life,” he said.