A SHERIFF has spoken out after two bodies were found at a farm where a man allegedly lived with a corpse for at least six years.
In the Salem Township of Ohio, about 37 miles northeast of Cincinnati, Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin said he was called to investigate a death on a nearby farm when things took an eerie turn.
McLaughlin headed to the home on January 2 after being notified that the owner of Nettle Creek Farm & Nursery, Robert Rea, had died at 70, according to Rea’s son, John, per local NBC affiliate WFMJ.
John told the sheriff that his dad had died inside the home.
Although, he continued that there was a second body located inside the RV parked outside the residence.
Police told the outlet they arrived at the residence and received no response after knocking on the front door.
They canvased the area around the 40-acre farm to find the motorhome located behind an old barn.
Upon entering the vehicle, they discovered the dead body of an elderly woman, believed to be Robert’s late wife, Peggy.
Peggy was reported to have died six years earlier.
John proceeded to tell officers that his father had died on December 31 after living alongside Peggy’s corpse since 2017, according to a police report obtained by WFMJ.
It is believed that Robert was taking care of the remains of Peggy, whose birth year was listed as 1953, on his own, per the report.
McLaughlin explained to the outlet that what is believed to be Peggy’s body was wrapped inside a blanket doused in herbs and was well-preserved.
The sheriff said he was shocked at the find, most especially at how Robert was seemingly able to keep the body in a preserved state given the length of time that had passed.
“I’ve been doing this for almost 34 years and never seen anything like it,” he said.
“I have never seen a body that has been gone that long and still that intact.
“We’ve had bodies that have been gone for much, much less time and had next to nothing left.”
John told officers that his father and mother were devout Quakers, according to the police report, and the religious lifestyle they followed inspired them to want to be buried together at the same time.
Cops said Robert’s death is believed to have occurred from natural causes.
The Columbiana County Coroner’s Department has his remains, along with what investigators say are Peggy’s, for complete autopsies.
Coroners will also determine an approximate date of death for both bodies.
Police also noted in the report that a cheek swab was taken from John for DNA testing and that they recorded an audio statement from him.
The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office said they’re still investigating the case and will determine if any charges need to be filed.
