Filmmaker Freezes to Death [VIDEO]: Lee Halpin Dies Documenting Homeless People in Newcastle, Two Men Arrested in Connection to Death

An up-and-coming, promising filmmaker was found dead inside an abandoned hostel only three days after he had decided to live on the streets for a week to document homeless people in Newcastle, England. Lee Harpin was a 26-year-old journalist upstart who wanted to use this documentary project to get into Channel 4's highly competitive Investigative Journalism Program. The official cause of death has not officially been determined but Police have apparently ruled out foul play and hypothermia is the best bet right now.

Friends of Halpin last heard from him on Sunday when he asked to borrow a sleeping bag. They believe that he died from hypothermia due to the overnight dip in temperatures in Newcastle falling below the freezing point. However, two men, aged 26 and 30, have been arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug by the Northumbria Police. According to the police, the men have been released on bail pending further questioning.
A coroners report is due to be released later this week with the official cause of death announcement.

One friend, Daniel Lake, reflected on his friend by saying, "He made the ultimate sacrifice trying to raise awareness about what was happening to other people."

Halpin had an MA in creative writing and was the founder of a magazine on North East culture.

"I am about to go and spend a week being homeless in the West End of Newcastle," Halpin said in a video that also described his plan for documenting the homeless people. "I will sleep rough, scrounge for my food, access all the services that other homeless individuals in the West End use. I will interact with as many homeless people as possible and immerse myself in that lifestyle as deeply as I can."

Here is the video of the last time Lee was seen before embarking on his quest that ended in his own death by apparent hypothermia: