EASTPORT, Maine — Police on Tuesday were investigating the cause of death of a 50-year-old man, officials said Tuesday.
Gerard Koed, who lived on Third Street, was found dead inside his home around 4 p.m. Monday.
The medical examiner’s office in Augusta has been called to investigate.
Although there was some speculation given the recent cold snap that Koed may have frozen to death, City Manager George “Bud” Finch said Tuesday it appears that Koed died of natural causes.
According to Officer Bill Lindsey, police received a request for a well-being check from a postal carrier who delivered mail to Koed’s home. Koed had not been seen for about two weeks.
At first the carrier thought Koed was out of town, but after his mail began to pile up the carrier became worried and called police.
Neighbors told police they noticed that Koed had cleaned the snow off his car prior to the most recent big storm, but had not cleaned it since.
“The guy was kind of a loner,” Lindsey said of Koed.
Lindsey said police went into the man’s house and found Koed dead.
Police notified his family.
Although Koed’s death does not appear to be weather related, Finch advised area residents to be cautious.
“Due to the extreme cold spells we have been experiencing this winter and the number of residents living alone, we encourage people to keep an eye out on their neighbors’ homes and well-being,” he said. “We also encourage folks who live alone to notify their neighbors and families when they will be out of the area to facilitate the handling of ‘check well-being’ calls.”