University of Minnesota Freshman Freezes to Death

University of Minnesota freshman Jacob Anderson was found dead close to campus in Minneapolis on December 15, a Star Tribune article reported. Police suspect he may have frozen to death, although the cause of death will be determined by the Hennepin County medical examiner. 

Temperatures had dropped to only 1 degree on the morning Jake was found.

Jake was known as a “kind, sensitive kid” to neighbors on Baldur Park Road in Orono where he grew up. He was also a popular student from Orono High School who played varsity lacrosse. He had been the goalie and a captain of the lacrosse team that won the Section 8 championship in 2013. “But when Anderson spoke, coach Josh Scott recalled Sunday, ‘the whole team was listening … it was meaningful. If the guys weren’t hustling, or weren’t listening to us, he’d get them focused on the task of what we were doing,’" the article reported.

Officials are working to give counseling, mental health and other support to Jake’s friends and fellow classmates at the university. Raymond Duvall, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said in a statement: “We share this grief as a community. Out of this moment of sadness, let’s all make a special effort to watch out for and take care of each other.”

People outside in freezing temperatures must dress in layers, wear hats and cover noses, ears and other exposed skin to avoid frostbite and hypothermia, a doctor at Hennepin County Medical Center said. 

The article reported Dr. Brian Mahoney, of the emergency medicine department, said the body loses heat by exposure to cold air or by touching cold objects or ground. “The biggest way you get in trouble with cold is through convection when you are exposed to cold moving air, or cold moving water. That’s when you lose heat the fastest. … You need to have dry, adequate clothing and be out of wind.”

Alcohol can add to the risk. It draws heat from the body core to the skin, and “if alcohol is involved, it will impair your judgment,” Mahoney said, as reported in the article.

 “When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can't work correctly. Left untreated, hypothermia can eventually lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and to death,” the Mayo Clinic’s website reads. 

See more information from the Mayo Clinic on how to avoid and treat hypothermia here. Watch out for your friends and fellow students this winter! You could save a life.

ClearCause recently launched ASAPP SOS, a free app from iTunes and Google Play with a follow me feature.  It works here and abroad.  We are hopeful ASAPP SOS will help save lives. 

 Jacob played Lacrosse with ClearCause Founder's youngest son, Alec.  Our hearts are breaking for his family and friends.