2013 Darwin Awards Honoring Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool--by removing themselves from it in the most spectacular way possible.

Newcastle Icicle 2013 Darwin Award Winner

(31 March 2013, Newcastle, England) The UK homeless population's numbers are difficult to gauge; the website Crisis.co.uk sets a low estimate at 2,300 homeless people per night.

Intending to advance his career, investigative journalist Lee Halpin, 26, decided to acquire background in the problem by pretending to be homeless. He borrowed a sleeping bag and, waving aside the concerns of friends and family, he set off into the streets alone. "I will sleep rough, scrounge for my food, interact with as many homeless people as possible, and immerse myself in that lifestyle as deeply as I can," said the journalist--three days before freezing to death in a boarded up hostel.

Hypothermia is suspected and autopsy results are pending; meanwhile, two homeless men have been arrested on possibly-related drug charges.

ORIGINAL SUBMISSION

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