Site search
sponsored by
News
BRECKENRIDGE, Colorado — The body of a 49-year-old man was found frozen in a tent Thursday behind the sewage-treatment plant in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Harold “Ray” Poole, 43, last was seen on Christmas Eve, and it is unknown how long he has been dead, according to Summit County Coroner Joanne Richardson.
Foul play is not suspected, she said, however an autopsy has been ordered.
Richardson surmised that Poole had been staying in the tent since about Dec. 25. He was identified through some prescription medication and an indentification bracelet, and his family has been notified.
Poole’s circumstances are unknown, but it is possible he was living in the forest illegally.
“There are people who have, by choice, camped out all winter long,” said Dan Burnett, a mission coordinator for Summit County Search and Rescue. “They have never stayed in a house. They drive cars. They have jobs. They’re just saving money and (camping is) what they like to do.”
Recent cold weather may not have contributed to the death, Burnett said.
“They found him frozen, but that doesn’t mean he died of hypothermia,” he said.
Poole had “a heater, a tent and various clothing,” Richardson said.
The Summit County Sheriff's Office assigned an investigator to the case and is expected to issue a report soon.
Dan Marion can be reached at mariondan@hotmail.com or at 970-389-2244.
Harold “Ray” Poole, 43, last was seen on Christmas Eve, and it is unknown how long he has been dead, according to Summit County Coroner Joanne Richardson.
Foul play is not suspected, she said, however an autopsy has been ordered.
Richardson surmised that Poole had been staying in the tent since about Dec. 25. He was identified through some prescription medication and an indentification bracelet, and his family has been notified.
Poole’s circumstances are unknown, but it is possible he was living in the forest illegally.
“There are people who have, by choice, camped out all winter long,” said Dan Burnett, a mission coordinator for Summit County Search and Rescue. “They have never stayed in a house. They drive cars. They have jobs. They’re just saving money and (camping is) what they like to do.”
Recent cold weather may not have contributed to the death, Burnett said.
“They found him frozen, but that doesn’t mean he died of hypothermia,” he said.
Poole had “a heater, a tent and various clothing,” Richardson said.
The Summit County Sheriff's Office assigned an investigator to the case and is expected to issue a report soon.
Dan Marion can be reached at mariondan@hotmail.com or at 970-389-2244.
