A couple has been accused of hiding the body of their deceased relative in their home for more than six years in order to claim their retirement.
Authorities believe Lynn Ritter and her husband, Kirk Ritter, received thousands of dollars in retirement benefits from this woman's father.
This man, identified as Mike Carrol, reportedly died in 2016, but his death was not reported until October 2022.
Kirk contacted Overland Park police and reported that they found his father-in-law's body at the residence.
A pacemaker is the ultimate test
Police arrived at the scene and found the man's body in a mummified state on a bed, according to official documents.
However, what raised suspicions was that after the man's death in 2016, deposits began to be made from his account and checks were issued for collection.
“Seventy-six direct deposits were made from the plan into Michael C.’s personal bank account totaling $68,637,” court documents state.
Prosecutors investigating the case accused the couple of electronic fraud and theft of state funds after discovering these irregularities and strange movements of funds.
The truth is that the man's pacemaker would be an important piece of evidence in the investigation, as analysis shows that it stopped in 2016, when the old man was 81 years old.
It is estimated that the couple may have received more than $215,000 in pension benefits from this man during the time the body was hidden for six years.
The AP documented that during this time, relatives tried to video call the man, but his daughter and son-in-law refused, saying he could not answer them or visit them as long as they pretended he was still alive.
This couple must appear in court to answer for these crimes.
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