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CNN Live Sunday

Heart Disease Determined as Likely Cause of Kile's Death

Aired June 23, 2002 - 18:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: An Illinois medical examiner has determined what killed St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Darryl Kile. Kile was found dead in his Chicago hotel room yesterday. CNN's Brian Palmer is in Chicago with details of the pitcher's autopsy. Brian, he was only 33 years old. Did they find out what happened?

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Well, Carol, the medical examiner is saying that they know the suspected cause of death. They suspect it's heart disease.

Apparently, Kile has 80 to 90 percent narrowing of two of the three branches of his coronary arteries, which is a very, very severe medical condition, but there are other tests that they need to perform, toxicological tests. According to the Chicago Police Department, those tests can take weeks. So, the medical examiner saying that they suspect that it was a severe form of heart disease.

Now last night's game here at Wrigley Field between the Cardinals and the Cubs was postponed out of respect for Darryl Kile.

Tonight's game is going forward. They're saying it's business as usual. It's another way to honor Kile, but it's going to be a bit more of a subdued game, much less raucous than your normal game here at Wrigley Field.

Flags will fly at half staff. The musical program will not be as rip-roaring as usual, "The Star Spangled Banner" and again, a very subdued version of "Take Me Out To the Ballgame." There will be no seventh inning stretch either -- Carol.

LIN: Brian, isn't there a history of heart trouble in his family, and if so, how does a guy play, you know, professional ball at this level and not seem to be aware that he could have this problem or even die from it?

PALMER: Carol, I think these are questions that the medical examiner is going to be looking at. I've read some of the accounts that his father died at age 44 of a condition that may be similar. But I think we're going to have to defer to the medical professionals here and really give it some time -- Carol.

LIN: What a loss. All right, thank you very much, Brian Palmer in Chicago there.

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