Document text
Homeless man, 29, found dead near Bear Creek By Mail Tribune staff Updated: Dec 15, 2021 12:12 PM A A Medford police investigate the death of a 29-year-old homeless man Wednesday morning near Hawthorne Park. The man’s death is believed to be cold-weather related. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Medford police believe hypothermia may have played a role in the death of a homeless man whose body was found Wednesday morning off the Bear Creek Greenway. At about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, a bystander found a 29-year-old man non-responsive along the creek near the 10th Street Bridge and flagged down an officer, according to Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau. Once on scene, police declared the man deceased. The man’s name has not been released pending next of kin notification, but Budreau said local officers were familiar with the homeless man. Police have not found any signs of foul play. What’s known thus far, according to Budreau, is that the man had unspecified medical issues. “We also believe it to be weather related based on the circumstances,” Budreau said. The man had removed some of his clothing prior to going into the creek. Budreau said disrobing is often linked to hypothermia. There’s also signs that the man was disoriented — another symptom of hypothermia. “He wasn’t in a camp or a sleeping bag ... he was basically by the creek,” Budreau said. Because of the temperatures below freezing overnight Tuesday, the city of Medford declared a severe weather event and had opened a weather shelter operated by a local nonprofit at the Navigation Center, 685 Market St. in Medford. For text alerts when Medford will open its next severe weather shelter, text MED4SHELTERS to 888777.