Syracuse KS Man Freezes to Death While High on Drugs

Authorities say a 23-year-old southwest Kansas man was on drugs and disoriented when he froze to death more than a dozen blocks from his home.

Hamilton County deputies were called just before 1 p.m. Friday to the report of an unresponsive man in the 900 block of East Avenue G in Syracuse. They arrived to find the man dead. He was identified as Florencio Luis Quinilla.

Sheriff Mike Wilson stated that Quinilla was about 13 blocks from his home and that deputies were able to find his tracks in the snow through several blocks.

Toxicology results showed illegal narcotics in Quinilla’s system. Investigators believe he was high on drugs as he walked around Syracuse in unknown surroundings. His tracks showed he tried to enter a garage and a home but passed out in the snow and died from extreme exposure to the cold.

The Journal reports the low temperature on Friday was 0 degrees with a wind child of negative 19.

Sheriff Wilson asks that anyone with information regarding Quinilla’s whereabouts that night to call the sheriff’s office as (620) 384-5616.