Woman found in parking lot dies, hypothermia suspected
LAKEWOOD – A woman found unconscious and unresponsive in the parking lot of a Lakewood apartment complex in subzero weather before dawn Thursday later died at a hospital after efforts to revive her failed.
Lakewood police identified the woman as Karen Marie Esquibel, 48.
Police responding to a report of a person possibly in need of help found the woman at the Highland Square Apartment parking lot near West 12th Avenue and Balsam Street about 5 a.m., according to LPD spokesman Steve Davis. The woman had no apparent injuries, but was in a state of severe hypothermia when paramedics arrived, Davis said.
Davis said investigators are unsure of how long she may have been down in the parking lot in the sub-zero weather. She was wearing only a gray T-shirt, sweat pants and white shoes when police found her. A Dallas Cowboys jackets was on the ground near the victim.
Esquibel died about seven hours later, Davis said.
Investigators spent much of Thursday morning trying to identify the victim and appealed to the public for information about the victim’s identity. That appeal was successful and police were able to tentatively identify the victim within a few hours.
Investigators do not believe foul play was involved in the death and an autopsy is expected to determine exact the cause of death.
“At this time police have no evidence to suggest that the female was the victim of any criminal activity, and feel that her death was result of exposure,” Davis said.
