Sally Menke, 'Pulp Fiction' Film Editor, May Have Died of Heat Stroke

I tweeted this story earlier today. Heat stroke is dangerous yet fascinating. The effects of high body heat apparently cause a rapid deterioration of function. I remember a few years ago a boy and his father died of heat exposure in Landers, not far from mom's house in the high desert east of Palm Springs. See, "A Father-and-Son Desert Trip Ends in Death." I recall that their car got stuck in the sand, and after passers-by helped them out, they gave them "extra" water bottles as thank-yous. That was 100 degree weather. Yesterday it was 113 in Los Angeles, all the more dangerous for the 'Pulp Fiction' film editor.

See KTLA:

The Los Angeles County coroner's office says a longtime Quentin Tarantino film editor may have died from heat stroke while hiking.

The body of 56-year-old Sally Menke was found early Tuesday morning in a residential area near Canyon Drive, just on the edge of the sprawling 4,200 acre park, Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter confirmed with KTLA.

Coroner's Lt. Fred Corral says investigators Menke died of hyperthermia.

Menke and a friend were hiking in Griffith Park Monday morning when the editor complained of feeling dizzy and said she would return to her car.

Another hiker reported seeing her disoriented on a trail, but Menke refused help.

She was reported missing by her friends after she failed to come home in the evening.

My prayers go out to Menke's family.