Palatine woman, 88, found dead at Midewin park in Will Co.

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Updated: March 1, 2012 8:45AM

WILMINGTON — An 88-year-old woman was found dead Sunday outside of her car, which apparently had been driven into a ditch at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

Norma C. Kienker of Palatine may have died from exposure to the cold after becoming stranded in her car, Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil said.

She was found at 11:28 a.m. Sunday along Boathouse Road, about 2.25 miles north of River Road.

O’Neil said Monday that an autopsy did not show signs of foul play, but it was not clear exactly caused what Kienker’s death.

“She had quite a lot of medical problems as was discovered at the autopsy,” O’Neil said. “She may have passed away from cold exposure, but that remains under investigation.”

State police are investigating Kienker’s death. A Midewin employee said the staff of the National Forest Service’s park could not comment on the incident and were told to refer calls to state police.