Kentucky winter storm death toll rises to 12 after woman dies from hypothermia

The death toll from a powerful winter storm continued to rise Wednesday after Kentucky officials confirmed a 12th weather-related death in the state.

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office said a 32-year-old woman, Jordyn Daws, was found dead in the front yard of a home in the 3700 block of Wargrave Walk in Lexington, according to WKYT.

Daws was found just after 12:45 p.m. and her cause of death was determined to be hypothermia due to environmental exposure, according to the outlet.

Daws was found just steps from her own home in the Polo Club community, not far from where she lived, according to local newspaper LEX 18.

SECOND ELDERLY SOUTH CAROLINA WOMAN DIED OF HYPOTHERMIA DURING WINTER STORM

A vehicle drives on snow-covered roads during a winter storm January 25, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. The death toll continued to rise Wednesday after Kentucky officials confirmed a 12th weather-related death. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Neighbors said the discovery stunned the quiet neighborhood.

“This is like the first time this has happened near us, and it’s really shocking,” Idris Bashorun, who lives nearby, told WKYT.

Bashorun said he noticed a heavy police presence in the area before learning what had happened.

RETIRED NYPD OFFICER COLLAPSES AND DIES WHILE SHOVELING SNOW FOR CHURCH GOVERNORS DURING DEVASTATING NORTHEAST WINTER STORM

Snow falls on downtown Louisville during a winter storm on January 25, 2026. The system brought bitter cold, snow and ice across Kentucky, prompting emergency responses across the state. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

“We saw a lot of police. We were wondering what was going on,” Bashorun said. “They were walking back and forth, looking at the ground. I didn’t know what they were looking for.”

City officials warned this week that extreme cold and dangerous conditions continued to strain emergency and public works crews in Lexington.

People walk in near whiteout conditions during a winter storm January 25, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

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In an official update on the city’s response to the winter storm, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said crews were working around the clock as dangerous conditions persisted.

“As Lexington continues to battle ice and a prolonged period of freezing temperatures, the city’s road crews have made significant progress and the work continues,” Gorton said in a statement.