2-year-old starves to death after father suffers fatal heart attack in New York apartment

The cause of death for a New York father and his 2-year-old son has been determined nine months after they were found dead in their apartment, authorities said.

The bodies of David Conde, 59, and David Conde Jr. were found in an apartment on Feb. 15 in Geneva, about 55 miles southwest of Syracuse.

The father died of natural causes from cardiovascular disease, the Ontario County Sheriff's Department reported Monday.

His son then died of starvation and his death was ruled accidental in nature, department officials told the Democrat & Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The pair was found inside the apartment's locked door during a welfare check after the father had not been in contact with anyone for over a week.

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The two family members were last seen at the home on Jan. 22, Ontario County Sheriff’s Lt. David Cirencione said after the bodies were found.

Officials said they found the apartment to be fairly clean and well-kept when deputies found Conde on the bed and his toddler near the bed. There was food, and clothes for the child.

“There were no signs of a struggle in the residence,” Cirencione said. “We do not have any reason to believe anybody else was in the apartment when these two passed away.”

Deputies said they believe Conde died first and his child was unable to find nourishment after the death.

Deputies said the investigation into the deaths is now closed.

Contributing: Mike Murphy with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Toddler starves to death after father dies in New York apartment