Questions answered about homeless man found dead

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Douglas King’s body was recovered early Tuesday morning after a cold winter night.

He was 64-years-old and some people in the homeless community told news 12 that King was turned away from the Community Kitchen the night before.

Executive Director Jens Christenen says that isn’t true.

"we’ve been able to confirm that the man at no time came here seeking shelter at the community kitchen that evening and was definitely not removed from the shelter that night," says Christenen.

Police are now confirming they did receive a call from the community Kitchen about a man causing a problem that same night..

‘we arrived on the scene to the community kitchen, we gave him assistance we found him shelter and safety," says Chattanooga Police.

Assistant Neighborhood Policing Chief Eric Turner says they took that man, whose name hasn’t been revealed to the Rescue Mission house.

Chief Turner says Community Kitchen Staff member told him they did talk to King that night, but he left on his own free will.

"he indicated to the staff that he had a place to go and we were not called because he did end up leaving the facility," says Chief Turner.

We haven’t been able to confirm that information with the shelter director at this time.

Police and Community Kitchen workers work very hard to make sure the hundreds of homeless people in Chattanooga are safe when bad weather strikes.

"part of what we do if they’re homeless, they may not have access to media reports so, we try to take it upon ourselves to inform them on the oncoming weather.It’s a tragedy whenever we lose a homeless person, especially a preventable death, someone who’s sleeping outside who could have been inside in several areas, to remember that night 144 other people were in here, they were warm they were safe," says Chattanooga Police.