Elderly Homeless Mother Found Dead with Son in Rhode Island

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An elderly homeless woman named Irina Kozak called a friend in late January, saying her 49-year-old son Stanislaw Kozak had died two days earlier and she was unable to get out of their snow-covered car. Despite a police search, the pair was not found until two weeks later, when they were discovered dead in a parking lot next to a hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Authorities said their deaths were weather-related, with underlying health issues also a factor.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the challenges faced by the homeless population, especially during extreme weather events. It raises questions about emergency response protocols and how to better assist vulnerable individuals who may be isolated or unable to call for help.

The details

According to police, Irina Kozak called a Russian-speaking friend, who then contacted authorities. The friend's English-speaking boyfriend went to a police department in another town, and officers there advised him to call Providence police. However, dispatchers were never able to speak directly with Kozak. Police searched the area around Miriam Hospital based on the limited information provided, but could not locate the vehicle. It's unclear what was preventing Kozak from exiting the car. The Kozaks' bodies were eventually found on February 11, about two weeks after the initial call.

• The initial call came in on the evening of January 28, when temperatures had dropped into the single digits.
• Three days earlier, Providence had been buried under 20 inches of snow.
• The Kozaks' bodies were found on February 11, about two weeks after the initial call.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Providence Police Department is reviewing its response to the initial call to determine if any improvements can be made to better assist vulnerable individuals in the future.