Kristin Cavallari's brother 'was bipolar and believed a Mexican gang was after him when he vanished and died of hypothermia while stripped naked in the wilderness'

  • Michael Cavallari, brother of reality TV star Kristen, went missing last year
  • His body was later found three miles away from his crashed car in Utah
  • Family told police he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder before vanishing
  • Mom Judy 'said he was paranoid and thought Mexican gang was after him'
  • Cavallari's death was today ruled an accident caused by hypothermia
  • His body was also found naked due 'paradoxical undressing', a condition in which those dying of hypothermia feel as if they are hot and undress

Reality TV star Kristin Cavallari's family say brother Michael was suffering from severe paranoia before he disappeared and died from hypothermia last year.

Michael's mother Judy told cops that her son had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and believed a Mexican gang was out to get him before vanishing, according to a police report seen by TMZ

Cavallari was reported missing on November 27 after his car was found crashed and with the engine still running off a highway in Utah.  

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The death of Michael Cavallari whose sister is reality TV star Kristin Cavallari has been ruled an accident by a medical examiner
The death of Michael Cavallari whose sister is reality TV star Kristin Cavallari has been ruled an accident by a medical examiner

The family of Michael Cavallari, the brother of reality TV star Kristen, told cops he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was extremely paranoid before he disappeared, according to a police report

Cavallari, whose body was discovered three miles away from his car in rural Utah last year, also believed that a Mexican gang was hunting him before he vanished 

Cavallari, whose body was discovered three miles away from his car in rural Utah last year, also believed that a Mexican gang was hunting him before he vanished 

The report states that when police searched the car, they found two cell phones, a laptop and a golf bag containing $18,000, believed to be part of $24,000 he recently inherited from his grandmother.

Cavallari's body was later found three miles away, stripped and surrounded by clothing which experts believe is due to a common phenomena known as 'paradoxical undressing'.

This occurs when nerve signals to the brain become scrambled in the final stages of hypothermia, making the victim feel as if they are burning up - when they are in fact freezing to death. 

Earlier today Cavallari's death was ruled an accident after it was determined he died of hypothermia. There is no indication that Cavallari was actually being hunted by a gang.

Cavallari's body was found at the bottom of a steep hillside filled with boulders on December 10, two weeks after his car was found abandoned three miles away with the engine running.

Temperatures in the area were at or below freezing every night in the days after his car was discovered next to a small embankment. 

The police report also states that Cavallari's car contained two cell phones, a laptop, and $18,000 in cash - believed to be part of a $24,000 inheritance (pictured, a map of Cavallari's last known movements) 

The police report also states that Cavallari's car contained two cell phones, a laptop, and $18,000 in cash - believed to be part of a $24,000 inheritance (pictured, a map of Cavallari's last known movements) 

Grand County Sheriff Steven White said they were still waiting on toxicology reports to find out if the 30-year-old had any drugs in his system.

However, he added that the autopsy had closed the case, although questions may forever linger about exactly what happened.

Investigators believe that Cavallari was just passing through Utah, but they don't know where he was headed or what he was doing in the area.

White explained: 'I don't know if he thought he saw lights or something and started walking? We just don't know.'

The Cavallari family were notified earlier this week but his sister Kristin has declined to comment through her publicist.

Cavallari's death came after he was arrested four days before he went missing on allegations that he acted threateningly towards a woman and has a gun.

Earlier today Cavallari's death was attributed to hypothermia after he crashed in freezing temperatures and was ruled an accident (pictured in a mugshot) 

Earlier today Cavallari's death was attributed to hypothermia after he crashed in freezing temperatures and was ruled an accident (pictured in a mugshot) 

 The Cavallari family were notified earlier this week but his sister Kristin, pictured last month, has declined to comment through her publicist 

 The Cavallari family were notified earlier this week but his sister Kristin, pictured last month, has declined to comment through her publicist 

Two days later he was bailed out of jail and soon after a rancher discovered his car near the dirt road about five miles from Interstate 70.

While he was missing Kirstin, 28, who is married to NFL quarterback Jay Cutler and starred in The Hills, uploaded a picture of herself and her brother as children with the message: 'We remain hopeful... I have such gratitude for all those who have shared their support.'

Later on social media she confirmed her brother's body had been found in a heartfelt Instagram post.

She wrote: 'My heart is in a million pieces. Mikey, I could always count on you to make me laugh. You had such a good heart and will be forever missed.

'I'm at a loss for words but I know u are in a better place and finally at peace. I love u so much RIP.'

After news of Cavallari's death, she thanked everyone for their 'love, support and prayers during this very difficult time,' People reported.

The loss of her older brother came after the reality star had just given birth to her third child.

The reality TV star posted this picture on her Instagram page, paying tribute to her brother after his body was found 

The reality TV star posted this picture on her Instagram page, paying tribute to her brother after his body was found 

 Earlier, Kristin posted this picture when her brother went missing saying: 'We remain hopeful' 

 Earlier, Kristin posted this picture when her brother went missing saying: 'We remain hopeful' 

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