Nestled amidst the majestic Rocky Mountains, the charming town of Nederland, Colorado, holds a unique and somewhat macabre claim to fame: it is home to The Frozen Dead Guy. This intriguing tale revolves around Bredo Morstoel, a Norwegian man whose grandson decided to pursue a chance at immortality through cryogenic suspension. The presence of Bredo Morstoel, preserved in a state of perpetual cold, has transformed this small Colorado community into a focal point of curiosity and an annual celebration.
The Life and Unusual Journey of Bredo Morstoel
Born in Isfjorden, Romstel, Norway, on February 28, 1900, Bredo Morstoel lived a life typical of his time, marrying his wife Anna in the late 1920s and raising two children. He served as the head of parks and recreation until his retirement in 1967, enjoying hobbies such as painting, fishing, hiking, and skiing. Bredo Morstoel passed away on November 6, 1989, at the family’s mountain retreat in Norway. However, his story was far from over, as his grandson, Trygve Bauge, had an extraordinary vision for his grandfather’s future.
Trygve Bauge, an unconventional individual who had moved to the United States in 1980, was a proponent of longevity and challenged authority. Convinced that cryopreservation offered a pathway to future revival, he arranged for his grandfather’s body to be immediately packed in ice and transported to Los Angeles, California. Here, Bredo Morstoel underwent initial cryogenic preparation and freezing, awaiting a more permanent solution for his unique storage requirement.
Nederland: The Unexpected Sanctuary
For several years, Bredo Morstoel remained at a California institute while Trygve Bauge sought a suitable long-term storage location. In 1993, the frozen patriarch was packed in dry ice and shipped to Nederland, Colorado, where he was initially stored in a humble garden shed. This move marked the beginning of Nederland’s unwitting association with The Frozen Dead Guy phenomenon. Trygve was later joined by his mother, Aud, and together they began constructing a purportedly disaster-proof house in Nederland, envisioning a future cryogenics storage facility. Alongside Bredo, another cryogenically suspended individual, Al Campbell, briefly resided in their care.
Traditional cryogenic suspension demands that a body be frozen immediately after death to prevent cellular decay and maintained at extremely low temperatures, typically around minus-320 degrees Fahrenheit, often using liquid nitrogen. However, due to budgetary constraints and the unconventional nature of their operation, Bredo Morstoel was kept at a relatively ‘balmy’ minus-109°F, maintained with regular replenishment of dry ice rather than liquid nitrogen. This distinction is crucial in the field of cryonics, highlighting the unique circumstances surrounding Bredo’s preservation.
The Discovery and Local Outcry
The Bauge family’s peculiar activities eventually drew attention. Trygve gained local notoriety for breaking an ice-bathing world record. However, his visa issues led to his deportation back to Norway in 1994, leaving his mother, Aud, to care for The Frozen Dead Guy and the unfinished house. Aud soon faced an eviction notice due to lacking basic utilities like electricity and plumbing. Fearing her father’s body would thaw, she sought help from local media, inadvertently exposing the presence of the frozen bodies to the Nederland town officials. The discovery ignited a media frenzy, turning the quiet mountain town into an international news story overnight.
In response to the unprecedented situation, an emergency town meeting was convened, resulting in the swift passing of an ordinance that declared it illegal to house
