Winter's icy grip tragically took its toll on a homeless man last week in Chantilly. According to Fairfax County police, 59-year-old Robert Bruce Miller, of no fixed address, was found dead under a truck parked in the 14800 block of Thompson Road.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department personnel responded, but were unable to revive him. Police do not suspect foul play, and investigators determined that Miller died from hypothermia.
HIS BODY was discovered Friday, Feb. 16, around 3:30 p.m. on commercial property belonging to Fairfax Crane. A person who works at the site found him and called police.
"Employees were going there to get some equipment and they discovered him," said police spokesman Rich Henry. "They'd seen him the day before and said it wasn't unusual for them to see him there."
Henry said Miller didn't have any identification, but police "were able to use other methods to identify him." They were also able to locate his family. Henry said they don't live in Fairfax County, but declined to say where they do reside, except to note that it's in Northern Virginia. "We spoke to his family today," said Henry on Tuesday.
In light of this tragedy, police are reminding people that Fairfax County has three shelters for homeless adults and two for homeless families with children. And local faith communities and nonprofit organizations, in partnership with the county government, provide additional hypothermia prevention services and shelter during the coldest winter months.
So far this winter, more than 300 people have been served in this program. County residents are urged to contact police at 703-691-2131 if they see someone they believe may be at risk for hypothermia. For information about the county's homeless shelters, see www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/factsheets/emershelter.htm.
<tgl> —Bonnie Hobbs