Sheriff Says That Cold Weather Likely A Factor In Michael Cavallari's Shocking Death
Posted on Fri Dec 11th, 2015 12:08pm PDT By X17 Staff
The day after Kristin Cavallari's brother Michael Cavallari was found dead in Salt Wash, Utah, Grand County Sheriff Steven White has said that the 30-year-old was exposed to cold temperature, reports Us Weekly.
The sheriff told the publication that Michael, who was found at 10:30 AM on Friday, was most likely exposed to frigid weather in an area that averages daytime temps in the high 20s and low 30s and can be in the teens at night.
"We definitely think that’s a contributing factor," White tells Us. "But [we] won’t know until we get the autopsy report."
Law enforcement says that they located the body yesterday three miles away from Michael's car in a "very steep and rocky area." The cause of death is currently unknown but TMZ reported Michael struggled with alcoholism for years, however, there was no evidence of drugs, alcohol, major trauma or a possible suicide, according to the sheriff.
Authorities still do not know how Michael crashed his 2014 Honda Civic. The vehicle was still running when it was found down a dirt path off I-70.
Yesterday, the former reality star released a statement about the death of her brother. “We want to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers during this very difficult time. We have just been informed by the authorities my brother's body has been found. This is a very painful time and we are still processing it all. We kindly ask everyone please respect our privacy during our time of grieving," she said.
On Nov. 27, the Grand County Sheriff's Office received a report that there was an abandoned Honda Civic along Interstate 70. Authorities identified Michael as the driver after finding credit card receipts in the car, which led them to a convenience store in Monticello, Utah. The convenience store had security footage of Michael, confirming he was the one driving the vehicle.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s arrest record, Michael had been arrested on Nov. 23 for making criminal threats. That was a mere four days prior to his disappearance on Nov. 27. The 30-year-old was released on bail on Nov. 25.
The Deseret News reported that Cavallari's laptop and cellphone were found in the empty car which seemed to have hit a large rock on the side of the road.