Unusual Dec '16 death of couple in Superior, WI

[creepedout]

I'm not seeing a thread on this case; I came across it today and found it rather suspicious sounding:

When a meter reader discovered the bodies of Richard Ellison and Shirley Johnson four days before Christmas, they were frozen, probably dead for more than 48 hours on the deck outside their house in Superior.

Police a few days later said the couple died from exposure in subzero temperatures, that the deaths were nothing “more than two people locked out of their residence and being exposed to the cold for a prolonged period of time.”

Much more detail here:

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/ne...-couple-who-froze-death-may-have-had-dementia

 

[killarney rose]

I don't think there is anything other than to be blunt, they were drunk. They were having problems with dementia and the two led them to be so disoriented they were not able to find their way into the house.

 

[Indy Anna]

Sounds like the two had emptied their pockets and both sets of keys fell out. Either they didn't recognize the keys or they were too cold to hold onto. I had even thought initially the lock on the door could have been frozen, preventing the key from entering the lock all the way (I've had that happen with my car and mail box), but doesn't sound like they even tried unlocking the door.

I looked for the mail box/slot near the door but don't see it on the house, so it must be on the street. Likely, their dementia clouded their ability to limit their alcohol consumption since bar staff only recently had problems with the couple. I sympathize with Richard's son. It's difficult to know when it's time to have that talk with a parent about moving into a supervised living arrangement. One never knows how the parent will react and it's obvious this elderly couple still enjoyed their independence. Glad they weren't victims of crime, but still a very difficult way to lose loved ones, especially just before a major holiday.