An aspiring journalist who planned to spend a week living on the streets of Newcastle, U.K. as part of an investigation into homelessness has reportedly been found dead just a few days into his project.
Lee Halpin, 26, had planned to sleep outdoors and interact with the homeless as part of a film project he hoped would help land him a spot in the investigative journalism program at Britain's Channel 4.
According to reports, Halpin was found dead inside a boarded-up building this week. Initial reports said it appeared he had frozen to death, though it has now emerged that police have made two arrests that may be connected to the death.
No official cause of death has been released.
Halpin had posted a video to YouTube outlining his film project and explaining what he intended to do.
"I will sleep rough, scrounge for my food, access all the services that other homeless individuals in the West End use," Halpin said in the video. "I will interact with as many homeless people as possible and immerse myself in that lifestyle as deeply as I can."
He said his goal was to demonstrate to Channel 4 his "fearless" approach to journalism.
"It certainly feels brave from where I'm sitting right now," Halpin said in the video. "I'm about to embark on this documentary tomorrow morning, it's certainly caused a huge amount of trepidation amongst my family and friends who do think it's a brave thing to do. That's the impression I want to leave you with about my willingness to get to the heart of the story."
