John N. Siebold – The tragic death of an 80-year-old man in Milwaukee early Sunday morning is believed to have been caused by the bitter cold temperatures. John N. Siebold, a former attorney from Milwaukee, was found lying on the sidewalk near 12th and Orchard around 7 a.m. on Sunday after being outdoors for several hours. Surveillance footage obtained by WISN 12 News shows Siebold walking alone in the early hours of the morning. Moments later, another camera captures him on the ground, where he remained until his body was discovered.
Siebold’s body was found by a passing Milwaukee Fire Department crew who were returning from another call. They immediately recognized that he had been dead for hours. According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, Siebold was wearing a suit coat, winter jacket, and pants but was also found wearing a hospital gown, indicating he may have been recently discharged from a medical facility. The temperature at the time of discovery was just 3 degrees Fahrenheit, which likely contributed to his death from exposure.
Raul Jose Diaz, a resident of the area, was among those who noticed the aftermath of Siebold’s death. Diaz was cleaning blood off the sidewalk where the body was found when police arrived. Despite the blood at the scene, Milwaukee police stated that they did not believe the death was suspicious. The blood was consistent with Siebold having fallen, which was later confirmed by the medical examiner’s report.
Siebold’s death occurred in a highly public area, just in front of Diaz’s home, but no one seemed to notice the elderly man lying in the cold during the night. Diaz expressed his heartbreak upon learning of the incident. He and his wife were deeply affected by the fact that Siebold had been alone and unnoticed until his body was found several hours later.
“I felt bad because it was so cold,” Diaz said, reflecting on the tragic nature of the situation. Despite the efforts of local authorities, including police and fire crews, to investigate the circumstances surrounding Siebold’s death, it remains unclear why he ended up in such a vulnerable position. The family of Siebold, who reside out of state, was contacted for comment, but there was no response from them at the time of the report.
The Milwaukee Police Department has indicated that the cause of bleeding at the scene matched the details of a fall, which further supports the idea that Siebold’s death was a result of exposure rather than foul play. An autopsy was conducted on Monday afternoon to gather more information, although the results have yet to be made public.
This incident has raised awareness about the risks posed by extreme cold temperatures, particularly to vulnerable individuals such as the elderly. While it is not yet confirmed whether Siebold was in poor health or experienced other circumstances that led him to fall, the tragedy highlights the dangers that severe weather can pose to people, especially those who are isolated or unable to seek help.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are encouraging people to be mindful of their neighbors, particularly the elderly, during extreme weather conditions. While the cause of death appears to be natural, the community’s attention to the well-being of others could prevent future tragedies like this one.