Farmingdale State Employee Froze to Death

Irene Luetje, the North Massapequa woman woman whose body was found outside of a Massapequa home in February, froze to death, Nassau County Police said Friday.
Luetje, a 60-year-old Farmingdale State College Secretary, was discovered lying outside of an empty Ocean Avenue home Feb. 14, leading police to ask for help in solving her mysterious death. But an autopsy said she died of natural causes, according to cops.

A police spokesman said the autopsy revealed Luetje was found to have ketoacidosis, a condition associated with diabetes. Police believe Luetje may have had and episode and might have knocked on the door looking for help before passing out and freezing to death.

The home was not occupied at the time. 

Ketoacidosis is the absence of glucose needed for energy, according to the American Diabetes Association website. It causes the body to burn fat and produces ketones, which can poison the body and lead to a diabetic coma. The website describes a diabetic coma as "passing out for a long time."  

Luetje had a high amount of ketones in her body, according to police. Ketoacidosis can be caused by the body having not enough insulin, not enough food or low blood glucose, according to the ADA.

Luetje's brother, Eric Snow, told Newsday (paid site) that she has never been diagnosed with diabetes.

"It's still a huge mystery," he told the paper. "She was outside. It was cold and she was not wearing a coat when she was found."

Luetje was known to take long walks and she was found several miles from her home, police have said.

She was last seen on Jan. 6, and cops asked for help in the case a few days after her body was found.

Co-workers said they became concerned when Luetje didn't return to work after Christmas break.