Palm Desert family raising awareness after grandfather dies in extreme heat

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - A Palm Desert family is raising awareness on the dangers of triple digit temperatures, after their grandfather died when his home's air conditioning failed.

Nikita Potter says her grandparent's home was reaching 90 degree temperatures, when her 91-year-old grandpa, Chuck Potter, was found dead inside.

"My grandma frantically called me, and she said he fell, I found him on the floor. By the time we got there, we realized he passed away. Essentially, it was from their AC breaking down," Potter said.

She claims her grandparents tried to replace the HVAC system, but faced mounting costs to cool their 2,300 square foot home.

"It's 2 complete AC systems that have to be replaced and it requires crane work, that makes the bill even higher. I've talked to like Comfort Air and Timos, and those quotes were left with 20-25 K. Even with that, we've looked into warranties and stuff, but unless you have that extra chunk of change, you don't really have a lot of options," she said.

Potter now worries what's next for her grandmother, as she lives in a hotel but awaits to go back home.

"The past three weeks, my grandmother fainted like twice. We've had to rush on to the E.R. and it's from the heat," she said.

Now, she wants others to check on their AC systems before it's too late.

If you'd like to support the family's funeral costs, visit: Honoring Grandpa Chuck & Supporting Grandma Nona In Crisis.