Woman Freezes to Death While Taking Dog Outside

A 43-year-old woman died from hypothermia after falling in her snow-covered backyard while taking her dog outside during subfreezing temperatures in Willard, Ohio, a small city approximately 75 miles southwest of Cleveland. 

The Huron County Sheriff’s Office discovered Eugenia Michele Wadman unresponsive at approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2025, outside her home on Hanville Corners Road, wearing only light pajamas in temperatures that had dropped into the low 20s Fahrenheit overnight.

The Huron County Sheriff’s Office responded after receiving an emergency call about an unresponsive person in the yard. Upon arrival, deputies found Wadman’s body in conditions that painted a clear picture of her final struggles.

“She appeared to have fallen and sustained injuries consistent with struggling and crawling on the snow- and ice-covered yard,” the Huron County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. 

First responders arrived at the scene shortly before 11 a.m., but it was too late. Evidence indicated Wadman had ventured outside during the night to take her dog out, according to the sheriff’s office. “Hypothermia likely set in quickly due to the mid to low 20-degree temperatures,” officials stated in their report. 

A preliminary investigation by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office revealed distinctive marks in the snow, suggesting Wadman had attempted to crawl after falling. While no foul play is suspected, investigators noted that medical conditions may have contributed to the incident. The Lucas County Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. 

The winter storm that claimed Wadman’s life was part of a severe weather system that brought dangerous conditions to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States, prompting weather warnings across multiple states. The National Weather Service had issued winter storm warnings for the area, with dangerous wind chills and heavy snowfall affecting millions of residents. The storm system had already dropped several inches of snow across Ohio, creating treacherous conditions that contributed to multiple weather-related emergencies throughout the region. 

Wadman’s death marks the fourth cold-related fatality in Ohio this winter season. According to official reports, three other Ohio residents died from suspected hypothermia in January 2025: a man in Norwood, an 83-year-old man in Cincinnati, and a 94-year-old woman from Franklin. All deaths occurred during the same period of severe winter weather that has gripped the state. 

Medical experts explain that hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, which can lead to organ failure. The condition can set in rapidly when temperatures are in the 20s, especially if a person is not adequately dressed for the conditions. Public health officials note that signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion, and confusion, with the risk increasing significantly for those with underlying medical conditions. 

The investigation remains active as authorities await the full autopsy results from the Lucas County Medical Examiner’s office. The condition of Wadman’s dog remains unknown, according to the latest update from the sheriff’s office. 

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