In Coldwater, Michigan, police discovered the bodies of 54-year-old Larry Wheeler and 40-year-old Kari Close inside a camper trailer parked behind Pure World Foods. A cousin of Close had alerted authorities after being unable to reach her. The pair was found deceased amid bitterly cold temperatures that had dropped to -7°F that night.
Authorities suspect carbon monoxide poisoning from improper heating in the unventilated space, as the victims likely used an indoor heat source not designed for enclosed areas. Coldwater Director of Public Safety Joe Scheid emphasized the dangers of using outdoor heaters indoors in improvised living situations and urged the public to check on those in RVs, trailers, or tents during extreme cold, recommending warming shelters like the Coach Eby Center. An autopsy was scheduled to confirm the cause of death; Wheeler worked at the business and had permission to park the trailer there, though the owner was unaware he was living in it.
This tragic incident highlights the risks of carbon monoxide in poorly ventilated spaces during winter.