Man Freezes to Death on NYC Bench After Two Brutal Falls in –30°C Storm
A 47-year-old man died after collapsing on a bench during New York City's extreme cold snap in late January. Philip Puma left his apartment on January 26 to collect a prescription but never made it home. His body was discovered the following morning outside a supermarket in freezing temperatures.
Puma was last seen alive on surveillance footage entering a supermarket around 6 p.m. on January 26. He appeared unsteady but managed to buy two jars of peanut butter before sitting outside. Later that night, at around 10 p.m., the same footage showed him collapsing on the bench. He remained there, exposed to wind chills as low as –30°C (–22°F), until his body was found the next day.
Investigators believe Puma suffered two severe falls, breaking his nose and injuring his eye socket. His injuries may have left him unable to return home or seek help. His stepfather, John Sandrowsky, later said that Puma could have survived if someone had called emergency services.
Puma's death was one of at least eight outdoor fatalities during the winter storm in late January and early February 2026. His sister, Maria Luna, has since called on police to increase patrols in parks and public spaces during extreme cold. Authorities have not confirmed whether all eight deaths occurred in parks or other outdoor locations.
The freezing conditions claimed multiple lives across the city, with Puma among those found outdoors. His family has pushed for greater safety measures in public areas during extreme weather. Officials have yet to announce any changes in response to the deaths.
