Body Found Under Truck at Mass and Cass Highlights Dangers of Exposure to Cold

On Tuesday January 11, 2022 at approximately 21:00 hours, Boston EMS along with officers from District C6 responded to reports of a body being located on Southampton Street.

Southampton Street is considered part of the controversial Mass and Cass area.

The body was located underneath a truck, which was parked at a loading dock. Preliminary evidence seems to suggest the victim may have been in an altered mental state and had possibly succumb to hypothermia.

Detectives processed the scene.

Recently, temperatures reached single digits in Boston. The Department of Homeless Services has a policy called “Code Blue” for winter nights when the temperature drops to 32 degrees or below, due to the dangerousness of human bodies being exposed to such temperatures for prolonged periods of time.

The City of Boston’s 41st Annual Homeless Census, from the Department of Neighborhood Development, showed there were 1,591 homeless individuals in Boston last year. There are also 914 homeless families, adding an additional 2,954 persons.

Hypothermia can set in within ten minutes, and is life threatening. Call 911 if you experience the initial symptoms of hypothermia, which include shivering, exhaustion or tired feeling, confusion, uncoordinated hands, memory loss, and slurred speech.

If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, and needs emergency shelter resources please contact BOS:311. You can dial 3-1-1 or call 617-635-4500. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days week.