Burlington police: 19 year-old University of Vermont student found dead outdoors

Nicole Higgins DeSmet
Burlington Free Press
FILE: A Burlington Police Department patrol car is parked in front of City Hall.

A University of Vermont student was found dead in the snow behind a business on North Winooski Avenue.

Burlington police and fire departments responded to a call a Saturday morning call regarding "an unresponsive male lying in the snow in the back parking lot of a business," according to a police statement released Saturday evening. 

More:University of Vermont identifies Connor Gage as student found dead in Burlington

"The incident occurred in the vicinity of a parking lot at 294 N Winooski," Burlington Police Department Deputy Chief Jon Murad wrote in a email on Saturday night.

Emergency workers arrived at 10:48 a.m. and attempted to resuscitate the 19-year-old, who was pronounced dead on the scene, the news release stated.  Police said the student's identity would be revealed after his family has been notified.

"Our initial investigation suggests no indications of foul play," the police stated.

The student died in the early hours of Saturday when he was blocked by a fence while taking a shortcut through the back parking lot of a business, according to an initial police investigation.

The temperature in the early morning on Saturday was between 1 and 4 degrees below zero, according to police.

The National Weather Service in Burlington reported in a Twitter post that the mercury dipped to 5 degrees below zero, "the coldest temperature on Groundhog Day since 1993."

Police believe the temperature and "inadequate" clothing contributed to the students death. 

Deputy Chief Murad wrote that investigators cannot confirm or deny the influence of alcohol or drugs at this time.

An autopsy was ordered and Murad said an ongoing investigation into the student's condition and whereabouts prior to his death "might provide evidence or allegations of his having been intoxicated."

The University of Vermont will offer counseling to those affected after the student's name is released, according to the police statement.

This story will be updated.