VIDEO: Homeless Man Found Dead In Tent City; Authorities Investigating

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS & VIDEO: [UPDATED 1:15 PM] A resident of Tent City has died in his tent overnight, TLS has learned. Police and Paramedics responded to the homeless camp at about 10 AM for a report of an unconscious man, and upon arrival found a deceased man inside his tent. Paramedics pronounced the man dead.

The resident, approximately 47, was last seen alive last night, an official said.

The cause of death appears to be Hypothermia, an official told TLS.

Lakewood Detectives, as well as CIU’s Major Crimes Unit are investigating the death.

This content, and any other content on TLS, may not be republished or reproduced without prior permission from TLS. Copying or reproducing our content is both against the law and against Halacha. To inquire about using our content, including videos or photos, email us at [email protected].

Stay up to date with our news alerts by following us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

**Click here to join over 20,000 receiving our Whatsapp Status updates!**

**Click here to join the official TLS WhatsApp Community!**

Got a news tip? Email us at [email protected], Text 415-857-2667, or WhatsApp 609-661-8668.

64 COMMENTS

  1. Hypothermia (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

    Hypothermia (from Greek υποθερμία) is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as 35.0 °C (95.0 °F). Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of 36.5–37.5 °C (98–100 °F) through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation. If exposed to cold and the internal mechanisms are unable to replenish the heat that is being lost, a drop in core temperature occurs. As body temperature decreases, characteristic symptoms occur such as shivering and mental confusion.

    Causes:
    Hypothermia usually occurs from exposure to low temperatures, and is frequently complicated by alcohol. Any condition that decreases heat production, increases heat loss, or impairs thermoregulation, however, may contribute.Thus, hypothermia risk factors include: any condition that affects judgment (hypoglycemia), the extremes of age, poor clothing, chronic medical conditions (such as hypothyroidism and sepsis), substance abuse, homelessness, and living in a cold environment. Hypothermia also occurs frequently in major trauma. Hypothermia also is observed in severe cases of anorexia nervosa.
    Alcohol

    Alcohol consumption increases the risk of hypothermia via its action as a vasodilator. It increases blood flow to the body’s skin and extremities, making a person feel warm, while increasing heat loss.Between 33 and 73% of cases of hypothermia are complicated by alcohol.

  2. And becasue the residents complained so much and the road repair stopped, it is becoming a problem in getting hte port-a-johns serviced and the garbage container emptied. This is all paid for by private money, not the town or county. Let us help these folks, We need to be able to give these fols the basic human services. Please ask the town councel to allow us to do the simple things needed like the road repair, not paving, just simple repair. I’m sure the abulance could not even get in to get this poor person out. Our prayers are with him.

  3. This death is the direct result of inaction by the state, county,and local governments. People die as the fiddle.

    Each of the homeless needs to be diagnosed by healthcare professionals and assigned to the proper level of health care facility that is equip to address their particular disorder.

    It is inhumane to allow them to die in the woods, because they do not have the mental capacity to help themselves.

  4. People make foolish mistakes that end up costing their own life. Though sometimes that’s really what they wish for anyway..

    The deceased should have gone to sleep last night in any of the available police department buildings throughout ocean county. At least it wouldn’t have been so freezing cold.

    You can’t help someone that won’t help himself!

  5. First and foremost it is a tragedy when someone young dies especially under such terrible conditions. But people don’t need to die in order for us to realize that the Tent City is a terrible idea that fosters unsafe (if not criminal) behavior and is unsafe and its continued existence is not the best course of action for its inhabitants or the township/county, even if Lakewood was San Diego with beautiful weather year round. But a death due to hypothermia only serves to underscore the URGENCY of dealing with this issue asap. ACT NOW and more lives can be saved.

  6. Bill, you are correct.

    The state and township officials are directly to blame for this loss of life. (Not that they should be sued, for its the fellows fault as well. Its comparable to a man dying in a car crash for not wearing a seatbelt, and family complaining that the rule isn’t enforced enough so the cops should be sued.)
    However, morally its on their shoulders. How do you all keep on going on with you daily lives without taking care of this Tent City issue?? YES, I’M ADDRESSING THIS POST AND QUESTION TO EACH ONE OF OUR TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. HELP THEM HELP THEMSELVES BY FORCING THEM OUT OF THERE, AND RELOCATE THEM TO PROPER FACILITIES, WHETHER INSTITUTIONALIZED HOMES, HOSPITALS, OR A REGULAR HOMELESS SHELTER. YOU ALL WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO EACH I E OF THEIR DEATHS.

  7. LPD allowed tent city to pave a road through the camp last week,(as reported on TLS) so why did the emergency responders have to park on cederbridge?

  8. Why dont we just hurry and build the homeless shelter? So there won’t be any complaints or deaths. I have never seen that area more dirty in all the years I’ve passed through there so much garbage and you used to barely see tents in the woods now they are so close to road soon the tents will be pitched along the road on the sidewalk

  9. How did the American Indians survive the cold winters in this climate? Didn’t they live in Tepees? (winters were colder and snowier back then also)

  10. from what I can tell, 3 people have died there in the last 12 months. Given there are 30-40 residents, that means you have 1 in 10 odds of dying if you live in tent city.

  11. the reason this happen because some one try to get rid of tent city if you all didnt know they had tent with wood burning heaters in it before people try to get ride of tent city if they state wont help who can i been there i know the site i know the person that runs it the state dont care they wont help them i know all what goes down there and i know they have shower out house washer dryer its just what the state started doing to take it down is the reason this person died

  12. ignore a problem – and it grows. i thought they were not allowed to build structures? (only tents) why do i see buildings again?

    WHEN ARE THE TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS GOING TO WAKE UP?? vote these people out. they are inactive.

  13. Why don’t these folks accept the offers for real shelter already available and offered to them. Why should the overburdened-taxpayer shell out even more of OUR (not theirs) hardearned-wages to give these spoiled squatters what they have the temerity to demand!?

    It’s not my, or my tax-paying neighbor’s problem, if the squatters REFUSE to live by the basic rules the other shelters have!!

    If a real roof over their heads was really that important to these squatters, they’d choose to live by the regulations our State/Local Governments put in place for this very society.

    After all, I have to live by the all the State and local government rules even if I don’t like it or agree with it. Why should they be more privileged that the rest of us LAW-ABIDING citizens???

  14. THE TOWNSHIP IS BEEN TRYING TO THROW THEM OUT AND CLOSE DOWN TENT CITY ONLY TO HELP THESE PEOPLE AND NOT ALLOWING THEIR FOOLISH MINDS OR MENTAL CONDITION TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEC THESE PPL CANT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES AS YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THEY KILLING THEMSELVES SLEEPING IN THE WOODS AND MOST OF THEM ARE ON DRUGS OR ALCAHOL.
    BUT THEN YOU GOT ALL KINDS OF DUMB GENIOUSES FIGHTING THE TOWNSHIP TO LET THEM STAY IN THE WOODS.
    ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND???????????? YOU ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THE TOWNSHIP SO PPL SHOULD SLEEP IN THE STREET AND DIE ARE YOU NUTS????????????? SHAME ON ALL OF YOU PPL WHO STAND FOR TEN CITY YOU SHOULD GO TO BED AT NIGHT KNOWING THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEATH AND ALL OF THE TRAGIC THINGS THAT GO ON IN TENT CITY

  15. Why don’t these folks accept the offers for real shelter already available and offered to them. Why should the overburdened-taxpayer shell out even more of OUR (not theirs) hardearned-wages to give these spoiled squatters what they have the temerity to demand!?

    It’s not my, or my tax-paying neighbor’s problem, if the squatters REFUSE to live by the basic rules the other shelters have!!

    If a real roof over their heads was really that important to these squatters, they’d choose to live by the regulations our State/Local Governments put in place for this very society.

    After all, I have to live by the all the State and local government rules even if I don’t like it or agree with it. Why should they be more privileged than the rest of us LAW-ABIDING citizens???

  16. @helllooooo and josephusrex, yes, that area should have a homeless shelter built there! No one should have to die of hypothermia in this day and age. My prayers to the departed, may he be in a better place.

  17. There’s plenty of blame and guilt to pass around. It is sad, very sad when incidents similar to this happen no matter where they take place.
    Lets not forget who really decides, chooses, and where everything comes from. The creator gives us what is all good. Express graditude and daven for what we think are only good things.

  18. It all comes back to trespassing on public property -plain and simple, and whose is at fault for allowing that??? may the poor resident rest in peace.

  19. A young man dying is one of MANY tragic stories that unfold in Tent City every day. Allowing grown adults with disease and alcohol addiction to live without a shred of responsibility is pure abuse. If anyone had true compassion on them they would force them out.

  20. Quote “BUT THEN YOU GOT ALL KINDS OF DUMB GENIOUSES FIGHTING THE TOWNSHIP TO LET THEM STAY IN THE WOODS.”
    NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the court said you cannot remove them until you have somewhere to relocate them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    The town or for that matter no one has not done anything to fix this problem ,
    “Bill Hobday says:

    December 27, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    This death is the direct result of inaction by the state, county,and local governments. People die as the fiddle.
    Bill is 100 % correct

  21. Question 1: If someone had a choice to sleep in a temperature-controlled structure in another location but stubbornly decided to sleep outdoors in extreme temperatures and ends up very sick or dead as a result — Do we blame the weather for cruelty to the dead human? Do we blame the human for making a very bad choice??.. OR… Do we blame the anarchist who created the situation and actively assisted the poor/mentally incapacitated/drug-alcohol addicted human in carrying out his bad decision???

    Question 2: If someone had a choice to sleep in a temperature-controlled structure in another location but stubbornly decided to sleep outdoors in freezing temperatures and ends getting burned and dead from an illegal fire as a result — Do we blame the fire for cruelty to the dead human? Do we blame the human for making a very bad choice??.. OR… Do we blame the anarchist who created the situation and actively assisted the poor/mentally incapacitated/drug-alcohol addicted human in carrying out his bad decision???

  22. The judge said that cuz you have “geniuses” fighting the township.

    Out of Tent City NOW! More tragedies are guaranteed! They can move to existing shelters in NJ or elsewhere.

  23. All the deaths are at the bleeding heart judge who refuses to actually allow the authorities to take action. One eviction order from a judge and that will be the end of all the unlawful activities of tent city.

    The elected officials should use this to get moving and put pressure to move this along and have this heard next week. Enough with all the excuses from all of them!!!. Never let a crisis to go to waste. What are the committee members doing now??? Still waiting for the wonderful judge in a year from now to issue something…How many people have died there over the past year? Four? Five? Very sad.

    Who is banking on the government to take care of us gotta be insane!!!

    Government from top to bottom in this area are showing they can’t deal with any real issue affecting us.

    Very nice a meeting took place and a lot of venting took place but where is the action.

    We demand action now!!!

    Shut down tent city and take our neighborhood back and give the people living there some appropriate place that can regulate and take care of them. Enough!!!

  24. You think that you are helping them by donating to the cause. In essence by allowing them to stay there you are killing people as you see in this case.

  25. Chaim Yankel is 100% right: this death is the sole responsibility of the Judge in Ocean County who did not allow Lkwd Twsp to evict these guys. The judge thinks he’s being nice by providing them w/ free shelter – he’s not – its a disservice. & ppl are dying as a result of his skewed reasoning. Its all on him. DB.

  26. I remember in the mid nineties when I lived in Atlanta Georgia. There was a shanty town there, where all the homeless people slummed out, not unlike Tent City. When the building for the 1996 Olympics began, all squatters were given a bus ticket to the destination of their choice, and some cash to get going. The end of the story. The shanty town was gone! Then Olympic Village was built there, followed by the world class Atlanta Aquarium built by Bernie Marcus, then CEO of HOme Depot.

    This could be the roughest winter yet. Never mind waiting for a judge. Condemn the area for sewage and health violations, move everyone out, quickly to another location, shelter, or facility and bull doze the area. Why does anyone need to wait for a judge to decide the fate of lawless people. There are loopholes in every law. As we all know. Find them.

  27. The crude and heartless comments of some individuals regarding this article/matter is horrid. This is a human life that was lost. It makes me sick to think that those that made crude comments feel like they are somehow better than the men and women who reside at tent city. Shame on you. I pray that this situation does not happen to you or a family member someday! It is palpably unreasonable to think that these folks should just be left to die. We need to help. So keep your heartless comments to your self, shut up and HELP!

  28. If i am not mistaken the only homeless shelter available is in Atlantic City,this could be a major problem for the homeless in tent city. people are afraid of most shelters, are taken away from familiar surroundings and any friends they have. If they are mentally ill those problems are insurmountable.

  29. Wendy did you miss something? Everyone wants to help so people don’t die living outdoors…..the judge in his great wisdom did not allow the eviction so five people have dies over the past year. If they would have been removed and brought to a shelter they would be alive today. Is that not compassion? Wendy this must be resolved. The committee members must do something. If I recall Bloomberg one night brought all the protesters away. One night police came and garbage trucks hauled everything away. No more protesters. Everyone went home. Lakewood must do something to resolve the unlawful behavior taking place…

  30. ok let’s stop pointing fingers at the establishment…the man had been ill for a long time…had been to kimball..refused furthur care..and died peacefully in his sleep under “many” covers in a sleeping bag amongst his friends…this homeless man had family in the area.guess being alone outside was his choice.

  31. Wow, so many heartless people here who don’t really want to know the plight of a homeless person down on their luck, with no one to help them (Moderated).

  32. Its also a shame that you do not allow different points of view on this board, any comment I have made that does not agree with the local sentiments is not posted. Is there not free speech on this site?

  33. Hey Me, are you homeless or are your family members homeless? I’m thinking not. We need to go to the Senators ect, and provide safe shelter for these people.

Comments are closed.