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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:07 p.m., Monday, October 13, 2008

Heart disease ruled a factor in drowning last week

Advertiser Staff

Heart problems contributed to the death of a 57-year-old Iowa man who died while preparing to scuba dive near Kakaako Waterfront Park last week, according to the Honolulu medical examiner's office.

The cause of death for William Cooey of Dubuque, Iowa was listed as near-drowning with other contributing causes being ischemic heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, the office said today.

Ischemic heart disease is low blood supply to the heart due to obstruction.

Cooey died Thursday at Straub Hospital.

He and his wife, Barb, were were visiting his son Ryan, who is stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, a report in the Cedar Rapids Gazette said.

The Iowa newspaper reported that Cooey had five children, taught at a local high school and was a Boy Scout leader for nearly 30 years.