Man, 81, Found Dead On Brooklyn Roof Amid Extreme Cold: NYPD

BROOKLYN, NY — An 81-year-old man was found dead Saturday on the roof of a Flatlands apartment building as bitterly cold weather swept across New York City.

Police responded to a 911 call around 10 a.m. at 3310 Avenue H, where officers discovered the man unresponsive during an extreme cold warning that remained in effect through Sunday. Forecasts warned of strong overnight winds, with wind chills that dipped between 15 and 25 degrees below zero.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. NYPD officials reported no visible signs of trauma and said it was too soon to say whether the severe weather contributed to the death.

The city’s medical examiner will determine the official cause.

The discovery came as the city grapples with a surge in cold-related deaths. Officials said nearly two dozen people have died outdoors amid prolonged freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other city leaders urged residents to avoid spending time outside if possible, warning that the conditions could be deadly. A Code Blue remains in effect.

City agencies expanded emergency measures over the weekend, opening dozens of additional hotel-based shelter placements and activating more than 60 warming centers. Outreach teams were also reinforced, with extra vehicles deployed to assist people living on the streets across all five boroughs.

The man’s identity has not yet been released.