COWANSHANNOCK TWP, Armstrong County — A Butler County hunter found dead late Tuesday afternoon near his tree stand suffered an apparent heart attack, authorities said.

Thomas Martin Heim, 53, of Butler died of natural causes, according to Armstrong County Deputy Coroner Brian Myers.

Heim had been deer hunting Tuesday with friends on property they lease for a hunting camp in Cowanshannock Township in eastern Armstrong County.

His friends last saw Heim alive at 6:45 a.m. They found him unresponsive about 5:30 p.m. on the ground some 200 yards from his tree stand in woods off Spring Road, authorities said.

Myers pronounced Heim dead at the scene. Since no foul play was suspected, there was no autopsy.

Investigators said it appeared that Heim had been walking up a hill from the tree stand to his pickup truck.

“He was found half way between the stand and the truck,” Myers said.

Heim had a cell phone, but apparently was unable to call for help.

Myers said Heim had a “past medical history,” but he declined to elaborate.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission and state police assisted in the investigation. The Rural Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Citizens Ambulance also were called to the scene.

The Geibel Funeral Home in Butler is handling funeral arrangements.