Unhoused Alexandria man dies overnight in freezing conditions

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ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - Members of the Alexandria community are mourning the death of an unhoused man who passed away in the city overnight.

Friends of Carl Blackburn, 65, confirmed that his body was found outside, sometime between the evening of January 8 and early January 9.

Ann Lowrey is the Director of “CLASS,” a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life by promoting access to inclusive education, healthcare and supportive services. She met Carl about 10 years ago in downtown Alexandria, and the two became good friends.

“My friend learned that Carl was found by a dumpster, and he had apparently died during the night of hypothermia,” she said. “We know how cold it is…and it is unconscionable to me that my friend Carl, this dear man, is dead because no one opens up warming shelters. We can’t seem to create the sort of wrap-around services that we need in the community to support people who are unhoused, whether that is mental health or substance abuse services or even just how to budget your money. I’m frustrated that the churches' doors stay locked, and we stay warm inside while people walk the streets freezing.”

Temperatures overnight were below freezing, in the upper 20s.

News Channel 5 reached out to the City of Alexandria for further details surrounding his death. We have not heard back at this time. On Jan. 9 after Carl’s passing, the city did announce the opening of a warming station at the Bolton Avenue Community Center at 315 Bolton Avenue.

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