Coroner: Aspen cyclist died of heart issue

Steven Menscher, the cyclist who collapsed after nearly reaching the summit of Independence Pass Saturday, died from a heart issue, according to the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office.

“The cause of death was acute myocardial infarction secondary to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease with a contributing factor of asthma,” the Coroner’s Office said in a statement. The manner of death was natural, the statement said.

Menscher, 51, was a resident of Aspen. He was climbing the pass when he collapsed at about mile marker 60, on the last switchback before the summit. Authorities were called at 1:36 p.m. Witnesses began CPR before emergency responders could arrive. Menscher couldn’t be revived and died on the scene.