Woman found frozen to death less than 24 hours after leaving nightclub

Family of Makea Matthews seeks answers as police investigate her mysterious death

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:15am

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A 29-year-old woman named Makea Matthews was found dead in Philadelphia less than 24 hours after leaving a nightclub with two friends. Her family says she was "frozen to death" and had "bruises all over her body", raising questions about how she ended up underneath an I-95 overpass more than a mile away from the club. The police and medical examiner's office are still investigating the incident.

Why it matters

This tragic case has left Makea Matthews' family desperate for answers, as they try to understand how she went from a night out with friends to being found frozen to death in a remote location. Her death raises concerns about public safety, nightclub security protocols, and the need for better support systems to prevent vulnerable individuals from ending up in dangerous situations.

The details

According to the family, on Friday, January 23rd, Makea Matthews went to a nightclub on Delaware Avenue with two female friends. Security at the club told the family she was escorted out for being "intoxicated". The friends said they initially left with Matthews but then went back inside to look for something, and when they returned, Matthews was gone. The following day, Matthews' girlfriend reported her missing around 4:25 pm. About 20 minutes later, police found Matthews' frozen body underneath an I-95 overpass on the 2000-block of Richmond Street, an area over a mile away from the nightclub. The medical examiner labeled her death as hypothermia, but the family says she had "blunt force trauma to her left side of her face and bruises all over her body".

  • On Friday, January 23rd, Makea Matthews went to a nightclub on Delaware Avenue with two friends.
  • On Saturday, January 24th around 4:25 pm, Matthews' girlfriend reported her missing.
  • About 20 minutes later on January 24th, police found Matthews' frozen body underneath an I-95 overpass.

The players

Makea Matthews

A 29-year-old woman who was found frozen to death less than 24 hours after leaving a nightclub in Philadelphia.

Bayyinah Matthews

Makea Matthews' sister, who is searching for answers about her sister's mysterious death.

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What they’re saying

“Kea was found frozen dead outside, and I'm like, 'Huh?' I start screaming”

— Bayyinah Matthews, Makea Matthews' sister

“Makea would have never been missing if somebody would have stayed with her. She would be alive, right”

— Bayyinah Matthews, Makea Matthews' sister

What’s next

The police and medical examiner's office are continuing to investigate the incident to determine the exact cause and circumstances of Makea Matthews' death.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for improved safety protocols and support systems at nightclubs to protect vulnerable patrons, as well as the importance of thorough investigations into suspicious deaths to provide closure for grieving families.