A disturbing case from Colorado has revealed how a man kept a dead body in his home for more than a year, all to continue using the victim’s money. The incident has shocked many people because of its unusual and unsettling details, along with the clear misuse of trust and identity.
What Happened in This Case?
In Lakewood, Colorado, a man named James David Agnew, 56, admitted to keeping the body of 62-year-old James O’Neill inside his home for around 18 months. The case came to light after O’Neill’s family became concerned and asked police to check on him.
Officers from the Lakewood Police Department visited the residence after the victim’s brother reported that he had not seen or spoken to O’Neill for years. When police first arrived, a man came out and falsely claimed to be O’Neill.
How the Truth Was Discovered
The situation became suspicious when the family realised the person seen by police was not actually James O’Neill. Investigators continued their work and later found evidence that O’Neill’s identity was being used.
Surveillance footage from a nearby store showed Agnew using O’Neill’s debit card for purchases. This raised serious concerns and led to further investigation.
Eventually, when police returned with a search warrant, Agnew’s wife revealed the truth. She admitted that O’Neill had died earlier and that his body was still inside the home.
What Happened After O’Neill’s Death?
According to police reports, O’Neill died in December 2023, likely due to natural causes or possible drug-related issues. Authorities have said that the couple is not suspected of causing his death.
However, instead of reporting the death, the couple decided to keep the body hidden. Reports suggest that they even covered the body to prevent pets in the house from disturbing it.
During this time, they continued to use O’Neill’s financial details, including his Social Security income.
Financial Fraud Involved
Investigators found that the couple used more than $17,000 from O’Neill’s Social Security funds over the 18-month period. This money was accessed through his bank account and debit card.
This misuse of funds became a major part of the charges against Agnew.
Arrest and Legal Outcome
James David Agnew was arrested and later pleaded guilty to charges including tampering with a deceased body and identity theft. Under a plea agreement, several other charges against him were dropped.
He was sentenced to five years in prison for each charge, but both sentences will run at the same time. This means he is expected to spend a little over four years in prison after accounting for time already served.
His wife, Suzanne Ruth Agnew, was also arrested in connection with the case. However, she has pleaded not guilty and is still going through the legal process.
A Complex Personal Relationship
During questioning, Suzanne Agnew told investigators that the three individuals had been living together and were involved in a personal relationship for many years. This detail has added another layer of complexity to the case.
She also admitted that it was wrong not to report the death, acknowledging their actions during the investigation.
