Autopsy shows man found under bridge died of natural causes

Hunter
8/13/19

The Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office has announced that the man found dead under an Iowa City bridge July first died of natural causes.

45-year-old Eric Riskedahl was identified after being discovered that afternoon under the Highway Six bridge in a makeshift homeless camp along the Iowa River.

The official cause was listed as “diabetic ketoacidosis due to diabetes mellitus,” a malady that occurs when the body can’t get enough insulin and begins to break down fat as fuel. That produces a buildup of acids in the blood.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette cites the Mayo Clinic definition, which includes symptoms like weakness or fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, excessive thirst and frequent urination.

No foul play was initially suspected when Riskedahl’s body was discovered.