Thirty-nine community members who died while experiencing homelessness remembered during vigil

September 22, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana: Janice Grubb, who lost her daughter Bessie Grubb, is comforted as community members gather for a vigil in remembrance of the 39 community members living in Monroe County who died in the past year while experiencing homelessness. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

September 22, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana: Community members gather for a vigil in remembrance of the 39 community members living in Monroe County who died in the past year while experiencing homelessness. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

Thirty-nine community members who were experiencing homelessness in Monroe County when they died were remembered during an annual vigil Tuesday night at the Monroe County Courthouse.

Forrest Gilmore of the Shalom Center said it’s the most who have died in one year. Gilmore said, for years few died on the streets in the city and county, but the number has gone back up recently.

“We started seeing people dying outside,” said Gilmore. Gilmore said the causes of death were various, but substance abuse disorders were common factors in many of the deaths.

A list was read during the ceremony:

Michael Adams

Julia Aylward

Jared Bluck

Crystal Chambers

Madonna Conti

David Cottongain

Amber Cowden

Kody Dean

Paul East

Mark Estanislau

Shawna Fox Douglas