Newly released details explain how Jamaican man died from hypothermia
The Teton County Sheriff’s Office has released more details about the circumstances that led up to a Jamaican man’s death by the side of a Jackson Road.
We first reported on the death ofAldane Mullings on January 23rd. The body was first found Teton County Sheriff’s Office treated the investigation as a homicide. As the investigation continued and a preliminary autopsy was done it was discovered that Mullings had died from hypothermia due to exposure.
Below is a full release from the sheriff’s office detailing the events that led to Mullings death.
Below are the answers to the common questions the sheriff’s office has received from the media reference the Mullings death:
Mr. Mullings left the Rose at approximately 12:30 AM in a taxi with a friend and went to the Lexington. He was unable to secure a room for the night. He got a ride from the friend who lives near Rafter J and he was going to stay the night with the friend. Mr. Mullings was being belligerent so the friend let him out of the vehicle at the north Rafter J entrance (Big Trails Drive) at approximately 2:00 AM. Mr.Mullings was left with his cigarettes and cell phone but no coat, hat or gloves. He was last seen alive under the street light at the North Rafter J entrance (Big Trails Drive). By the friend’s account, Mullings was laughing and walking fine.
Mullings body was reported to Teton County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 6:28 AM by a passing motorist lying in the south Rafter J entrance (Tensleep Drive). Teton County Sheriff’s Office has video of four (4) other vehicles passing this area at 4:56 AM, 5:12AM, 5:48 AM and 6:09 AM. We have talked to the drivers of two (2) of the vehicles (the 5:12 AM and the 5:48 AM vehicles). We would very much like to speak with the drivers of the other two (2) vehicles. The driver of the vehicle, which passes at 6:09 AM, would be of particular interest in understanding Mulings’ movements prior to his death.
According to the forensic pathologist the injuries to Mullings were superficial and played no part in his death. Mullings died of hypothermia due to exposure.
Teton County Sheriff’s Office has evaluated the case and we have not cited anyone for criminal charges for letting him out of the vehicle. It was cold, Mullings was intoxicated and he did not have winter clothing appropriate for extended exposure to the cold but he had a cell phone, was left at a major intersection with lighting, seemed to be functioning okay and there are many safe refuges from the cold in close proximity. The sheriff’s office will be forwarding the case to the county attorney to review for charges.
