Elderly parents of `Weird Al' Yankovic found dead in home
Associated Press
FALLBROOK, Calif. - The elderly parents of Grammy-winning recording artist "Weird Al" Yankovic were found dead in their home, apparently victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, officials said.
Nick Yankovic, 86, and his wife, Mary Yankovic, 81, were found dead about 1 p.m. Friday in their suburban San Diego home by three family members, said sheriff's Sgt. Conrad Grayson, a fire investigator.
The relatives came to the house because they had not seen the couple in a while and were concerned.
Paramedics found Nick Yankovic in a chair in the front living room. His wife was lying on the bathroom floor.
A fire had been recently set in a fireplace in the house, Grayson said.
"The house was full of smoke when they opened the door," Grayson said. "We examined the fireplace. They were burning wood. They (family) had found the flue closed. They opened it."
"Weird Al" Yankovic, 44, had been scheduled to appear Wednesday night in Kansas at the Topeka Performing Arts Center as part of a tour for his new album.
He had no comment during a performance in Mankato, Minn., on Saturday night. Before the show, a graphic projected on the screens at the back of the stage dedicated the evening to his parents, KTOE-AM reported. Yankovic also canceled a meet-and-greet with selected fans.
Yankovic's parents were described by a neighbor as nice people who were proud of their son's accomplishments.
"Everybody who came to the neighborhood knew Nick," said John Buehman, who lives across the street. "They're going to be missed, big time."
