California woman found dead on Maryland hiking trail amid extremely cold temperatures
A California woman was found dead along the hiking trail at Truxtun Park in Annapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 28, police said.
Officers responded to the park, near the tennis courts, around 2:35 p.m. for reports of an unresponsive woman.
Police believe she slipped on the ice and died due to extremely cold temperatures that have continued to impact the region for several days. Foul play is not suspected, according to officials.
The woman was identified as 44-year-old Portia Latrice Jones. Police said she was visiting from the West Coast and was known to some neighbors who used to see her walking around town.
"This incident is a tragic reminder of the dangers posed by severe winter weather and extreme cold," Annapolis Police stated. "Please be careful out there and look out for one another."
Annapolis Police are still investigating the incident.
Neighbor reacts
Neighbor Tim Thiemeyer said he walks the neighborhood and the trails in Truxton Park all the time. He said Wednesday's tragedy hit especially close to home.
"That's horrible, it's a tragedy. A remote place like that, it seems like it's close, but it's actually pretty remote," said Thiemeyer.
Thiemeyer said he was surprised anyone would brave the trail in these conditions. The incident came just after parts of Maryland received more than eight inches of snow and ice due to a winter storm.
"After a big rain or snow, I wouldn't go out there," said Thiemeyer.
The woman's death marked the 28th cold-weather death in Maryland so far in 2026, according to the State Department of Health.
"It is a little dicey between the walkways, but I just need to get outside instead of being in the gym. So I'm just really careful," said Thiemeyer.
Cold weather safety tips
Extremely cold temperatures will continue across Maryland through the end of the week, according to WJZ's First Alert Weather Team.
During the morning hours, wind-chills of 0 degrees to -20 degrees will be common, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings. The coldest of those wind-chills will be outside of the Baltimore Beltway.
Annapolis police are urging people who see others in distress because of cold temperatures to call 911.
The Annapolis Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Recreation and Parks partnered to open a 24-hour warming center at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, 273 Hilltop Lane in Annapolis for people who need help during the severe cold.
The warming center will be open through at least Monday, Feb. 2.
