Homeless man found dead in vacant house with no heat

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating the death of a homeless and schizophrenic man  found dead Saturday in an abandoned home without electricity or heat . 


A Shorewest Realtor who was showing a property near 27th and Michigan found the remains in the fetal position in a

closet. Paramedics

were called to the scene but no resuscitative efforts were made because the body was frozen.

Fingerprints confirmed his identity as 53 year old John Ernest Abbot.

An on site investigator described the scene this way:

\"John was partially undressed. He had two jackets, one was off and lying on the floor nearby and the only one arm was in the jacket that he was wearing. He had jeans and a sweatshirt. One sock and shoe was off and lying on the floor nearby. His clothing was filthy.\"

Interviews with the family later indicated he had a history of mental illness.  A brother had been looking for him but lost contact years earlier.

A ruling on the cause of death won't be made until blood tests are back.   


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