Over 50 Katrina evacuees have died in TX

HOUSTON (AP) - Medical examiners says at least 53 Hurricane Katrina evacuees from the New Orleans area have died since coming to Texas.

In Harris County, which includes Houston, most of the 35 deaths were from natural causes, including several heart attacks and complications from cancer. Two refugees killed themselves since an estimated 240-thousand Gulf Coast residents fled to Texas because of the August 29th storm.

There was one dead fetus, and ages of the adult dead ranged from 20 to 104. Many were elderly living in hospitals, hospice centers and nursing homes.

A 71-year-old man from New Orleans died inside the mass shelter at the Astrodome, and a 90-year-old woman died in the stadium parking lot.

The Dallas County medical examiner's office reports 13 deaths as of this morning, all of them natural. Officials say all were elderly and staying in nursing homes and hospitals.

In the Houston area, two apparent suicides were reported. A 44-year-old man from Metairie killed himself in a Humble hotel September fourth. On Saturday, a 25-year-old male from Marrero took his life in a Pasadena apartment.

As of Tuesday, Austin had reported two deaths, and there was one each in San Antonio, Fort Worth and Smith County, which includes Tyler.

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