Man Dies Sleeping Rough In Cold For Documentary

[Christmas Tree 4920]

A young documentary maker has been found dead while sleeping rough in freezing temperatures to highlight the plight of the homeless.

 

Lee Halpin, 26, had planned to spend a week living on the streets in his home city of Newcastle.

 

He began the project on Sunday but was apparently found dead three days later in a derelict building in the West End of the city.

 

How he died has not yet been confirmed but it is believed he may have died from hypothermia.

 

Speaking earlier on a YouTube video, he said the project was part of an application for an investigative journalism course to give an example of fearless reporting.

 

He said he had spoken to a homeless charity about the rise in the number of people on the streets and the possible repercussions of the bedroom tax.

 

"I'm about to go and spend a week being homeless in the West End of Newcastle.

 

"I will sleep rough for a week, scrounge for my food, access the services that other homeless individuals use," he said.

 

"I will interact with as many homeless people as possible and immerse myself in that lifestyle as deeply as I can."

 

He concluded the video by saying he hoped it showed his willingness to get to the heart of a story.

 

Mr Halpin's friend Daniel Lake told the Evening Chronicle: "No-one knows how he passed away, but we think it could have been hypothermia.

 

"He made the ultimate sacrifice trying to raise awareness about what was happening to other people."

 

A statement from Northumbria Police said: "Officers have arrested two men aged 26 and 30 on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug. They have been bailed pending further enquiries. A report is being prepared for the coroner into the death of the man."

[Renton 22392]

Jesus.

[catmag 337]

Heard about this yesterday on N-O - A poster on there is a friend/colleague of his. Absolutely awful