Cold a factor in death of Penn student

Kambili Moukwa had plenty of reasons to feel upbeat and optimistic when he rang in the new year.

At 22, he was bright, pleasant and doing exceedingly well for himself, working as a popular intern in Mayor Nutter's Press Office while he finished his senior year at the University of Pennsylvania.

But Moukwa's bright future came to an abrupt and senseless end in a desolate, wind-swept waterfront parking lot, police said yesterday.

Moukwa's friends, who became worried after they were separated New Year's Eve, discovered his body in the gravel lot, on Delaware Avenue near Spring Garden Street, about 1 p.m., said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.

A preliminary investigation suggested Moukwa died of hypothermia, Vanore said.

Although the Medical Examiner's Office had not ruled on the cause of death last night, investigators said there was no sign of trauma or foul play.

"I was saddened to learn of Kam's death," Nutter said in a statement. "He was a regular face around the Mayor's office and in a very short time, he became part of our team."

Nutter said Moukwa made "real contributions to our government." Mayoral staffers praised Moukwa's laid-back nature.

Police said Moukwa partied with five friends New Year's Eve at the Zee Bar, on Spring Garden Street near Front.

At some point during the festivities, Moukwa's friends left the bar while he stayed behind. The Zee Bar closes at 3 a.m., according to its Web site.

Moukwa's friends told detectives he tried to call them on a cell phone about 3:50 a.m., but they missed the call. His friends reported him missing on New Year's Day.

Moukwa's relatives traveled from North Carolina yesterday to identify his body.

Investigators said it was unclear what led Moukwa to go into the barren parking lot, which is behind a blue wrought-iron fence in the shadow of the Waterfront Square Condominiums.

Yesterday afternoon, wisps of yellow police tape flapped furiously around the spot where investigators removed Moukwa's body, while the frigid Delaware River churned in the background.

"We miss Kam dearly and will always hold a special place for him in our hearts while keeping him and his family in our prayers," said Doug Oliver, the mayor's spokesman. *