A dad has been found frozen to death on his birthday after he was caught outside during a killer winter storm.
William Clay, 56, was confirmed as one of 16 victims of the winter blast in Buffalo, USA after footage circulated online showed a dead body face down in the snow.
Family members identified his body shortly after he was reported missing on Christmas Eve. The city, in the state of New York, has been gripped by sub-zero temperatures and huge blizzards over recent days.
His sister Sophie Clay had urged people to help look for William in a Facebook post written in the morning, revealing that he often spent time at the 7-Eleven convenience shop near his home.
She then shared news of his death several hours later on a GoFundMe page she set up to raise money for his funeral, writing: "I am the sister of the gentleman that lost his life during the 2022 Blizzard on 12/24/2022.
"My brother unexpectedly lost his life on his birthday."
Fears had also been raised by a relative named Laura upon his disappearance that he may not have been on his medication.
She has since posted a written tribute since learning of his death, writing: "Rest in peace Billy. My heart breaks for my nephew and his family."
Other members of his family have also taken to social media to share their feelings after his passing, with his son Jules Clay writing that his "pain is overwhelming".
"Grateful I spoke to him & told him I love him yesterday", he added.
The family has since requested that people stop sharing the clip showing his body, reports MailOnline.
A total of at least 16 people are now reported dead in the city of Buffalo and the surrounding county area, following an"'unprecedented' winter storm that hit the United States over the festive period.
The overall number of fatalities nationwide is estimated at 34.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Christmas Eve that almost every fire engine in Buffalo had been left stranded due to heavy snow, and later asked residents to adhere by a driving ban imposed to ensure public safety.
She described it as the "most devastating storm in Buffalo’s long storied history" because of its ferocity and impact on emergency services".
