Watch CBS News

Mummified Body Found In Fort Bragg Apartment; Caretaker Arrested

FORT BRAGG (AP) — Authorities in Mendocino County say the discovery of a badly decomposed woman's body at her Fort Bragg apartment has led to the arrest of her caretaker on suspicion of elder abuse and false imprisonment.

Fort Bragg Police Sgt. Jonathan McLaughlin says the body found last week during a welfare check was in a mummified condition and the woman may have been dead for a month. She was believed to be in her 60s or 70s.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper reports (http://bit.ly/2hO3nIn ) the woman's caretaker was arrested Friday after returning to the apartment.

Police did not disclose why they believe the woman's death was caused by her caretaker's abuse. But McLaughlin says there were no signs of physical abuse and detectives are treating it as a case of neglect.

Autopsy results are pending.

___

Information from: The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, http://www.pressdemocrat.com

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.