A pair have been accused of fraudulently amassing retirement advantages on behalf of a lifeless relative whereas they hid his "mummified" physique of their house for six years.

Police in Kansas found the physique of Mike Carroll in 2022 after his son-in-law, Kirk Ritter, known as police to report his demise.

However, authorities found by way of digital data of his pacemaker that he died six years earlier, in 2016, on the age of 81.

Overland Park police initially investigated the case as a suspicious demise, till a coroner dominated that Mr Carroll died of pure causes.

Prosecutors now allege Ritter and his spouse, Lynn, each 61, fraudulently collected greater than $215,000 (£170,000) in retirement advantages on Mr Carroll's behalf following his demise.

They allege the couple continued depositing and spending from Mr Carroll's checking account even whereas his physique grew to become "mummified" on a mattress within the house.

According to native media, relations stated the Ritters have been financially depending on Mr Carroll, lived with him, and served as his caretakers in direction of the top of his life.

They reportedly advised the Kansas City Star the couple would give them excuses about why Mr Carroll may by no means take a telephone name or obtain a go to, whereas main them to imagine that he was nonetheless alive.

The couple every face one depend of wire fraud and two counts of theft of presidency funds, in response to data entered within the US District of Kansas on Wednesday.

They are as a consequence of seem in federal courtroom to face the costs on 2 February.

According to the Kansas City Star, the Ritters didn't reply to telephone and e mail messages, whereas courtroom paperwork don't checklist a lawyer representing them.

Content Source: information.sky.com