Homeless Woman Dies from Cold in Fort Pierce

The last post dealt with the cold, and so will this one. On January 11th, a homeless woman was found dead in a dirt lot outside of a home in Fort Pierce. The record setting lows were speculated to have played a part in the woman's passing in the various news outlets. While I suggested the city of Fort Pierce address the issue of a cold night shelter in the last post, I propose something a little different in this one.

Patrice Warren, 41 of Fort Pierce died in a neighborhood near Avenue D, and according to officers who spoke with TC Palm reporters, was not prepared for the elements. It was speculated at the time that the cold was the reason for her death, and this was later confirmed by her autopsy. Unlike a man found dead from similar circumstances in nearby Okeechobee on the same day, Warren had a place to go.

While the need for a cold night shelter in Fort Pierce is definite, this story is evidence of a greater need. The articles say that Warren had AIDS, was probably an alcoholic and had many familial issues. If we truly want to see these types of stories disappear from the headlines we need to understand and try to treat the causes of homelessness rather than the symptoms. Until we can do this, the homeless will remain in Fort Pierce, cold weather or not.