A 74-year-old woman was found dead in her car Tuesday in the Walmart parking lot in Toms River, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed.
Prosecutor Brad Billhimer said the woman appeared to be homeless. The cause of death had not been determined as of early Wednesday, but officials said the death did not appear suspicious and the Major Crime Unit was not called to the scene.
Paul Hulse, CEO of Just Believe Inc., a nonprofit that assists homeless people in Ocean County, said the woman’s vehicle had run out of gas and its battery had died. The organization responded to the scene to assist the woman’s family with removing the car, which they were told otherwise would have been impounded.
Hulse said the case highlights a growing number of people living in vehicles across Ocean County, particularly during the current cold spell, with not enough room in warming shelters.
Hulse said Just Believe is currently assisting several people who are sheltering in their vehicles, including eight individuals, as well as others living in tents in areas ranging from Little Egg Harbor to Brick Township. He said outreach teams were distributing blankets Tuesday night to people living in wooded areas.
According to Hulse, some individuals have been turned away from overnight Code Blue shelters because they are at capacity. Others have declined to go to shelters due to transportation challenges and concerns about returning to their campsites and belongings.