Girl Who Died In Snow Fort Fall Identified As Pastor's Daughter

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Authorities have identified the 12-year-old girl who died after a snow fort collapsed on her outside of her church as Esther Jung of Elk Grove Village. Her father is the pastor of the church.

Jung died from hypothermia and asphyxiation. The cause of death was entrapment by the snow fort, the Cook County medical examiner's office ruled Monday.

Jung and her 9-year-old companion, Sophia Shin, left Rothem Church on East College Drive while adults attended services Sunday, the Daily Herald reported. After an hour, the girls had not returned, so some adults searched for them outside.

According to the Herald, they found Esther completely covered by snow. Sophia was buried to her chest and had been yelling for help.

"She cried out, 'Help me. Help me,' but nobody heard it," Jae Kim, Sophia's great-uncle, told the Herald.

Sophia remained in the hospital, where she was being treated for hypothermia, Arlington Heights police said.

Esther attended sixth grade at Collins Elementary School in Schaumburg.

Photo via Shutterstock.