Vigil Held for Sex Offender who Died of Hypothermia

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night to mourn the death of Thomas Pauli.

Authorities say he died of hypothermia in January after two downtown shelters wouldn't let him inside. The shelters say they were just abiding by the law.

Pauli's past criminal record kept him out, the 52 year old man was a sex offender.

"The law states they can't reside within 1000 feet of a school," said Rev. Ralph Collins of Mel Trotter Ministries.

Marge Palmerlee of Degage Ministries says it's the wording she'd like to see changed.

"Staying at a mission is not actually residing, it's just staying overnight," said Palmerlee.

Pauli wasn't turned away from Mel Trotter Ministries that night but Reverend Collins knows the law well.

"If they're caught they're arrested," said Rev. Collins.

Several downtown shelters are within 1000 feet of a school and legally they're forced to turn sex offenders away.

"They're trying to have safety for kids and I understand that, but the way it is now it's there has to be a better option," said Palmerlee.

A hundred people gathered Saturday night night to silently remember Thomas Pauli. Silently reminding people that even though it's warmer out now there's bound to be a similar situation next winter.

The group walked five blocks without saying a word. Holding signs and candles to remember a man they say shouldn't have died that cold January night.

"Just a quiet, respectful way of remembering his life and having the spotlight on a situation a lot of people tend to forget about," said Palmerlee.

Saturday nights vigil ended in the 600 block of Division, it's where Pauli's body was found back in January.