A University of Iowa student was found apparently frozen to death on campus as wind chills hit minus-51 degrees Fahrenheit – one of at least eight people to die as a result of the record-setting cold that had settled on the Midwest this week.
Authorities said the body of Gerald Belz, 18, was found by campus police just before 3 a.m. Wednesday behind an academic building. The pre-med student was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officials believe his death was related to dangerously low temperatures, though they are yet to give a specific cause of death.
Doctors did not find alcohol in his system. No foul play was suspected, police said.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Iowa City dropped to minus-21 degrees late Tuesday and early Wednesday – with a wind-chill as low as minus-51 degrees.
Michael Belz, Gerald’s father, told KCRG his son was a “quiet, tough guy.” He was a semester ahead at the University of Iowa due to extra college courses. “He was a good kid,” Belz said.
In a tweet, Belz’s old high school principle paid tribute, as well as offering counseling services to any distressed students.
