Authorities in Dawes County have not scheduled an autopsy on the body of Crawford Fire Chief Emil Daughtery, saying a crime is not suspected.

The body was found by a relative Saturday evening, outside Daughtery's home south of town, near a wood pile where he had set up a log splitter.

Sheriff Karl Dailey said Monday that County Attorney Vance Haug had talked to family members about the 60-year-old Daughtery's health.

Haug said Sunday that Department of Veterans Affairs records indicate that Daughtery had suffered a major heart attack two years ago.

The sheriff says there's no doubt that Daughtery's death was from natural causes, likely related to Daughtery's heart condition and his exertion outdoors in the cold.