A woman said she kept the dead body of her boyfriend in a chair in their southern Michigan house for more than 18 months so she could have a partner for watching NASCAR races on TV.
Linda Chase, 72, said she kept the remains of Charles Zigler clean and dressed.
She often talked to the body, especially when she watched auto racing.
‘It’s not that I’m heartless… I didn’t want to be alone. He was the only guy who was ever nice to me,’ Ms Chase said.
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Jackson, Michigan, police discovered Zigler’s mummified body in a living room chair last week.
Authorities believe he died of natural causes at age 67 in December 2010, although Chase claimed it was last December.
She said there wasn’t a bad smell.
Ms Chase has not been arrested but is being investigated for financial fraud. She admits cashing Zigler’s benefit checks after his death.
‘I’m probably going to prison,’ she said. ‘I told them the truth. I didn’t lie about that.’
Authorities said the investigation will take time.
‘It’s a bizarre case. There’s no other way of describing it,’ said Mark Blumer, Jackson County’s chief assistant prosecutor.
Wally Zigler, 48, said his father worked in a machine shop and received Social Security, pension checks and veteran benefits.
He said he tried to see his dad, but Ms Chase wouldn’t let him in the house.
‘That wasn’t right to leave him lay like that,’ Mr Zigler said.
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Dave C
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