SALT LAKE CITY – One person living in a homeless camp set up in a Salt Lake City front yard died early Sunday morning, according to the property owner and Salt Lake City police.
“Medical was called to the camp this morning, just a little after six in the morning,” said lt. Brian Sloan told Salt Lake City police. “When medics arrived, they found the 45-year-old woman in the tent who had died.”
Salt Lake City resident Darin Mann (31), opened its front yard for homeless people about a week ago in response to what he calls a ‘homeless crisis’ in the city.
“I really wanted to create this space as a refuge for people,” Mann said. “But it became very clear to me that we need to come up with a lasting community solution.”
He plans to launch a GoFundMe campaign to build a small hometown to help house those who are homeless.
“If we can come up with funds as a community, and we can start with a community solution, the city needs to start moving forward with us in the pursuit,” Mann said emphatically.
Salt Lake City police said the cause of the woman’s death was still being investigated by the medical examiner’s office, adding that the results should be made public in the coming days. Police are working with the Salt Lake County Department of Health to find shelter for those living in Mann’s front yard.
“We plan to send social workers to that area today to see if we can help the people who camp there to see if we can give them shelters to check on and transport to get there,” said lt. Sloan added.
Mann got a breach of the code last week after city officials received several complaints about the camp. He was ordered to clean it up.
“I think there are a lot of health problems,” Lieutenant Sloan said. “Especially if there’s a big group of people camping like that together. There’s the health and safety issues, this is where the health department gets involved.”
“It’s just an absolute tragedy,” Mann said. “Getting to know this woman was quite a blessing.”
Mann said he would work with provincial officials to help those living on his property find shelters and other homeless resources. The Salt Lake County Department of Health has not yet responded to a request from FOX 13 for comment on the issue.
This is an evolving story. Updates will be added as received.