On Jan. 7, a man visited the Northfield police station to request a wellbeing check on his employee, on Robert K. Sembrat, 55, a Northfield man whom he hadn't heard from since Dec. 27, according to the Northfield Police Department's police report.
Officers arrived at Sembrat's home on the 300 block of Bristol Street, and saw him lying on the floor in his home, police say. Officers called for fire department assistance to gain entry into the home, where Sembrat was found dead, police say.
Sembrat was wearing a t-shirt, socks and underwear when he was found, according to the police report. His dog was found in the home and taken to Glencoe Animal Hospital. His thermostat was off when officers arrived, police say.
Two days later, the Cook County Medical Examiner informed the department that the cause of death was ruled natural by hypothermia and cold exposure, according to police.
Last week's extreme cold is responsible for at least seven deaths in Illinois and 21 across the country, Fox News reports.
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