Mother and Son Found Dead in Car Near Rhode Island Hospital

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The bodies of an elderly woman and her adult son were discovered inside their car, just feet from a Rhode Island hospital, after they had been trapped there for over two weeks during a severe winter storm. Irina Kozak, 75, and her son Stanislaw Kozak, 49, had called for help but were unable to be located by authorities before tragically succumbing to the freezing temperatures.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers that extreme winter weather can pose, even in urban areas near major medical facilities. It raises questions about emergency response protocols and how to better assist vulnerable residents who may become stranded or isolated during severe storms.

The details

Irina Kozak had called a friend on January 28th to say she and her son were trapped inside their white Kia Sorento in the parking lot of Miriam Hospital in Providence. The friend alerted 911, but police were unable to locate the vehicle after searching the area for an hour. The mother and son were not discovered until February 11th, by which time they had both perished from the cold. Authorities believe their deaths were weather-related, with underlying health conditions also potentially playing a role.

• On January 28th, Irina Kozak called a friend to say she and her son were trapped in their car at the hospital.
• Police searched the area for an hour on January 28th but were unable to locate the vehicle.
• The bodies of Irina and Stanislaw Kozak were found inside their car on February 11th.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Providence Police Department has indicated it will review its emergency response protocols to see if any changes can be made to improve how similar situations are handled in the future.