Man Found Dead Near Chicago Red Line Station Died from Cold Exposure

Autopsy reveals 62-year-old Zachary Armistead succumbed to hypothermia in Grand Crossing neighborhood.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A 62-year-old man was found unresponsive near a CTA Red Line station in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood on Thursday morning. An autopsy determined that Zachary Armistead died from a combination of hypothermia and environmental cold exposure, ruling his death an accident. Armistead was transported to the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Why it matters

Extreme cold weather has plagued the Chicago area in recent weeks, leading to school closures, transportation disruptions, and now the fifth cold-related death of the year. This tragic incident highlights the dangers that the city's homeless population faces during harsh winter conditions.

The details

Armistead was found unresponsive on the street in the first block of West 69th Street. He was taken to the hospital but could not be revived. The Cook County medical examiner's office determined that Armistead died from a combination of hypothermia, where the body's core temperature falls below 95 degrees, and exposure to the cold environment.

  • Armistead was found unresponsive on the morning of Thursday, February 6, 2026.
  • An autopsy was performed on Friday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Zachary Armistead

A 62-year-old man found dead near a CTA Red Line station in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood.

Cook County Medical Examiner's Office

The office that performed the autopsy and determined the cause of Armistead's death.

University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center

The hospital where Armistead was transported and pronounced dead.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for greater support and resources for Chicago's homeless population, especially during the city's harsh winter months when exposure to extreme cold can prove deadly. Community leaders and policymakers must work to address homelessness and provide adequate shelter and services to prevent future cold-related fatalities.