Two men were found dead outdoors in downtown D.C. Wednesday, and officials are working to determine whether the day's bitter cold played a role.
The body of a 79-year-old apparently homeless man was found just after midnight at 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, a block from the Trump International Hotel and about three blocks from the White House.
The body of a second man, also apparently homeless, was found just before 5 p.m. under the overhang of an office building at 13th and F streets NW, just two blocks away from where the first man was discovered.
Temperatures were in the 20s before dawn Wednesday and only rose into the 30s later in the day. A Hypothermia Alert from the Department of Human Services was in place.
The causes of the men's deaths will be determined by the District's medical examiner. Neither man's name was released.
A representative for the Department of Human Services asked residents to get help for homeless people they see outside during cold weather.
"We urge the community to help us protect neighbors experiencing homelessness during the cold winter months by calling 311 or 202-399-7093 to request transport to shelter, wellness checks or warming items when someone asks for or appears in need of assistance," a statement from the department said.
