Posted on Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
Body found Saturday in Ann Arbor Township
By Lee Higgins
A homeless man was found dead Saturday afternoon in a wooded area near Geddes Road and US-23 in Ann Arbor Township, authorities said.
Ann Arbor Township firefighters responded after receiving a 911 call at 4:57 p.m. about the body, which investigators say was found by a man walking his dog.
It appeared the body had been there for several days and there are no signs of foul play, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department spokesman Derrick Jackson said.
The man appeared to be living in a tent and had on a couple of layers of clothing, Jackson said.
The Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating, Jackson said.
Comments
CPLtownie
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 : 3:42 a.m.
*People make choices in terms of substance abuse. *The ACLU and others claiming to seek freedom for the mentally ill, made the choice for the mentally ill back in the 70's, claiming institutions were unconstitutional, and churned out all the people into the streets. Yay. Freedom? *The City of Ann Arbor makes the choice to purchase pretty public artwork by siphoning funds from city services. Never mind the PD & FD cuts, but if all the people here want to be generous and give money away, let's start using the art fund. Walk the walk. How's about starting with the $150,000 proposed art for the Justice center...I'm sure Delonis would benefit greatly from that. *Things wear out, that's why people die. Simple facts of life. Homeless or not. Medical condition, maybe, but then, there's lots of people without insurance that don't have access to medical care. And they work for a living. We all are one misstep from being this person. We all make choices. Bad. And good.
Jay Thomas
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.
If memory serves AnnArbor.com ran a story about a homeless man with a sign accosting passersby at that location sometime in the past year or two. There was a smaller house there too that was being broken into often and was torn down as a result I think. Sad story.
Ann English
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 11:39 p.m.
I don't remember such a story in AnnArbor.com, but I do remember a story about a man having a vehicular accident at Dixboro and Geddes Roads, and that accident victim stayed in his car all night (I think the overnight low was in the twenties) because he couldn't get out of his car. But he survived, and it was a pedestrian who noticed his vehicle the next morning and called for help.
Trouble
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Best to " teach a man to fish ".
A2Medic
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 : 1:55 a.m.
I shall now hand out fishing liscenses to all homeless I run into..
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 7:44 p.m.
I am outraged that the posters here who are aware of this problem are not opening their homes to these people.
Audion Man
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
Funny... did someone turn on WAAM. I hear Thayrone...?
RayA2
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 4:18 p.m.
This was very sad. A person dies in the woods alone in our city and all he can be referred to by is a homeless person. There will be a whole lot more of this heartlessness if slick rick and his supporters have their way.
shrewdrealist
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 8:39 p.m.
I find it amazing that fully grown intelligent adults will vote for one politician over the other, take sides and stick to one side throughout their life. It is shallow to think that the current shill in office along with his goons will be reason for the perils that you see. If your faux - C0eXiST bumper sticker candidate was in office who would you then blame?
Marcy
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 3:45 p.m.
very sad indeed to die alone, possible he had a medical condition that could have been treated, we don't know. But as much as I think the homeless need home, shelters, programs to treat the addiction and help getting back in society. I NEVER give the people on the freeway exits money, I am not sure they are homeless or have a found a neat way to make money without having to pay taxes. I have noticed they are dressed very warm,look clean for the most part. Actually I wish standing at the freeway exits begging was not allowed. Yes, I have a home, a job and food in my belly. But I work everyday for it. I chose not to do drugs and drink. I support doing all we can to help families and individuals down on their luck but they also have to be willing to get treatment, training and back in the work force, if able. My two cents!!
Ricebrnr
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
And when some people who make bad choices can't help themselves, it's society's fault? We should just hand them a better life? If so and we minimize their culpability and responsibility to do better. Then similarly for the people work hard and make their lives better, what's their motivation? Why should they work hard when other people are their not only to pick you up but also to make everything right for you? What was that saying about a hand up and not a hand out? Give a man a fish and feed him for a day... Pull yourself up by your bootstraps... Help is fine, but when help turns to entitlement, then society yes is at fault.
Atticus F.
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
because some people are unable to help themselves.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
And why is it always some one else's fault if bad things happen to people who make bad choices? Why is it punishment to require those that need help to also help themselves? In real estate, that's called earnest money, not punishment money...
Atticus F.
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
So in other words, get sober or we're going to punish you by letting you freeze to death in the street?
Some Guy in 734
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 3:01 p.m.
Full agreement with potwitically. If there were no signs of foul play, then what about this story classifies it as "Crime"?
Kronoberger
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
Recent figures indicate that 13% of the homeless are veterans. 20-25% of the homeless suffer from severe mental illness i.e. schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder. The 2009 HUD homelessness report published in June of 2010 indicated that around 640,000 people where homeless in the US. 37% of these were families. Michigan's homelessness rate increased by 2.18%. The number of homelessness is expected to grow as states cut back on mental health services and unemployment benefits run out. Washtenaw county does better than many other places in the country. Nevertheless, the cuts Snyder is making will doubtless increase the number of homeless in the state. The question is why we allow to die on America's streets while we spending billions are murdering civilians in the streets in Iraq and Afghanistan? The HUD report is available at: <a href="http://www.hudhre.info/documents/5thHomelessAssessmentReport.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.hudhre.info/documents/5thHomelessAssessmentReport.pdf</a> nt.
pseudo
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 11:50 a.m.
someone dying outside and alone is terrible. no question. @snapshot: Very few homeless are really veterans. Many visible beggars claim to be both homeless and veterans but I do not think that is reflective of who is homeless as a whole. The claim of veteran status is an attempt to get more money. Vets have even more services available to them and yes, there are hoops to jump through but those additional services are there @Ann Arbor.com is there a way for you to gather a bit of data from either Project Outreach or some other agency that can shed some light (there was even a significant effort to count the homeless during the census) on the demographics of Washtenaw County's homeless population? It might be as easy as asking someone from Project Outreach to write a quick article for your 'blog'. The commentators here seem to have a terribly inaccurate picture of who makes up this population and what services are available and WHY people become homeless.
kfolger
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.
@ lorie It is very possible that a homeless person who claims to be a veteran is telling the truth. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, it has been estimated that approximately 200,000 veterans may be homeless on any given night and twice as many veterans experience homelessness over the course of a year. It is estimated that one-third of the adult homeless male population and nearly one-quarter of all homeless adults have served in the armed forces. <a href="http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=740" rel='nofollow'>http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=740</a>
Salinemary
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 10:09 a.m.
Rest in peace. If you are lucky to have a job, a roof over your head, food to eat and clothes to wear, give a buck and a smile to the next homeless person you see in memory of this man.
Atticus F.
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.
You were probably lucky to have a good home growing up, and access to a good education. And if this is the case, you were lucky and not even aware of it. Apparently you think every man, woman and child in this country had the same opportunities as you.
cinnabar7071
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
Luck has nothing to do with it. Keep your nose clean, and have a good work ethic, even when nobodys looking. My motto that has served me well has been to be the most productive worker my boss has.
RJA
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 3:19 a.m.
This is very sad, the last several nights have been way below the freezing degrees of 32.
snapshot
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 2:50 a.m.
Most of these homeless guys are vets. To get help agencies make them jump through all kinds of hoops while imposing all the rules, regulations, and morality.. These guys would rather die than put up with what they consider "B. S." We're just lucky they are peaceful and moral guys, otherwise we'd all be in trouble. Remember that next time you treat a homeless guy with disdain. We'll hand out billions of bucks to the banks and auto industry without any controls, but provide for a voiceless homeless guy without imposing upon their freedom as an individual, no way.
Marshall Applewhite
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
It's quite a stretch of reality to say, "Most of these homeless guys are vets." Are there veterans who are homeless? Absolutely. But they certainly aren't the majority of homeless people.
potwitically incorrect
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 1:47 a.m.
Why is this in the "Crime" section of A2.com?
Ron
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 1:36 a.m.
I myself have been homeless in the recent past and I can tell you that some of the gentlemen and ladies that are living in the tents are by far not forgotten. I have seen for myself that several agencies within the county are always around to help as much as possible. The help IS there if and when the person wants it. Some are just to ashamed to go and get the help. The county has never stopped being sympathetic nor do I think that the people of Washtenaw COunty have stopped. Budgets are tight yes, but the County Government will do what they can when the need arises. I am living proof that the system DOES work when the help is needed and saught by any individual that needs it.
LaMusica
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.
Oh my, that's sad :( I hope they are able to identify him so they can let any family know. I hope the person who found him is dealing alright too, that can't be an easy thing to experience.
julieswhimsies
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
How sad. To die alone. May this ppor man rest in peace.
NewStart
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
I agree. It is nice to know there are people like yourself out there who simply CARE.
Atticus F.
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Agreed.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
I would suggest many, if not all of us, who post here couldn't be dead for several days without concern from loved ones spurring the police to ask questions and the media to do a story or two.(forgive Miss Cooper for that run on sentence) . So I don't think Atticus is completely off base. There is a general indifference to many of these folks the rest of us don't "suffer from".
Ellen
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
agreed. Rest in peace.
Jen Eyer
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.
A reminder that we do not allow commenters to attack each other.
A2Medic
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 : 1:50 a.m.
Thx Mom
sbbuilder
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 3:12 a.m.
Amen
pseudo
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Atticus - while that is a reasonable assumption about how he died, I think it is an monumental leap in logic to conclude that he died because "people stopped being sympathetic to homeless people". We have, as a county, made it a priority to help the homeless through our county government. Can't help everyone but its not because the county isn't "sympathetic" enough. Not when there are so many programs and resources made available every day and teams dedicated to engaging the homeless to bring these resources to them (or them to the resources).
Atticus F.
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.
I was operating under the assumption that he died from exposure, due to his homelessness. Although I could be wrong.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
And I bet the reason YOU can't do it is similar to the reasons there are certain restrictions on the homeless and services they receive. N'est pa? So how can one rail against society and it's shortcomings? Per the late MJ, time to start with the man in the mirror...
Atticus F.
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
Glad to hear you're such an expert on charity. Now let me make something very clear, since you seem to know so much...Charity might begin at home, but it certainly doesn't end there. Also, I can't personaly take a homeless stranger into my home... But thats all the more reason we as a society need to help others in need.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 10:42 p.m.
Charity begins at home. Next time you go out to find homeless people on a cold night and offer them a place to stay, I'll ride shotgun and provide back up for you. Fair enough?
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 7:12 p.m.
@Atticus What did he die from? You must have more information than was in the story to make a claim like this. Please share it with us.
A2Medic
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.
He used up all his heartbeats.. It happens..
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
What did he die from and what did it have to do with his state of homelessness? Possible reasons to die: Stroke Heart attack Lung cancer Drug Overdose .. .. .. Until you know cause of death, speculation about what could have prevented it makes no sense.
NewStart
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
What claim? That there were no signs of foul play?
Atticus F.
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
This is a perfect example of what can happen when people stop being sympathetic to homeless people.
A2Medic
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
He died.. We all do...
Atticus F.
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
bedrog, my comment was partially in response to a recently published article that asked people to give to local charities instead of giving to the homeless. The reason I'm apposed to the way some of these places operate, is because they deny services to people who are struggling with addiction. And FYI, I do donate my time and money to charities that help the homeless...As well as giving to individuals that pan-handle.
bedrog
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
'sympathy' and proactive social concern are not always the same thing... Credulous cash giving to often scamming and substance abusing homeless ( your seemingly preferred route from your assorted posts) is a poor substitute for reinstating more of the gutted substance abuse programs, institutionalization of the mentally ill, and locking up ( out of the cold) of aggressive panhandlers.