Disabled Woman Froze to Death Outside Conservatory

There are still many unanswered questions about the death of a 49-year-old woman found outside the Como Park Conservatory on Sunday morning.

St. Paul police believe the disabled woman, who relied on a scooter to get around, tried to attend an event at the conservatory Saturday night and found the door was locked.

They believe she tried to go to the other side of the building, but her electric scooter tipped over and she was unable to get it back up.

Eight hours later she was found frozen to death.

Police say the walkway at the conservatory was cleared, but at 7:30 p.m., it was dark outside.

Officers say given that the woman was on a scooter, and also relied on a portable oxygen tank for breathing, the only hope she had was for someone to see her lying on the ground.

Police and medical professionals say the weather, the time of evening and the woman's medical condition were a recipe for disaster.

St. Paul Police spokesman Paul Schnell says the woman should never have been alone, ?We, all of us, defend against the cold, but able bodied people have no appreciation for what those in wheelchairs and using other medical devices have to endure.?

Dr. Michael Gormley says the sensations of the disabled are often dulled, ?Some people with disabilities don't have normal sensations, so in cold weather they have to work around that. They can get frostbite a lot easier, they can get hypothermia a lot easier, so that's a concern as well.?

Her identity has not been released.

An autopsy is planned for Tuesday.

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