A woman said she kept the dead body of her boyfriend in a chair in their southern Michigan house for more than 18 months. Her rationale behind this was, she wanted a partner for watching NASCAR races on TV!
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Linda Chase, 72, said she kept the remains of Charles Zigler clean and dressed. She says she talked to the body often, especially when “they” watched auto racing.
Ms. Chase said:
“It’s not that I’m heartless… I didn’t want to be alone. He was the only guy who was ever nice to me.”
Jackson, Michigan police discovered Zigler’s mummified body in a living room chair last week. Authorities believe he died of natural causes at age 67 way back in December 2010, although Chase claimed it was last December. She said there wasn’t a bad smell.
Ms. Chase, as of now, has not been arrested, but is being investigated for financial fraud. She admits cashing Zigler’s benefit checks after his death.
Chase says:
“I’m probably going to prison. I told them the truth. I didn’t lie about that.”
Authorities say the investigation will take time.
Mark Blumer, Jackson County’s chief assistant prosecutor, says:
“It’s a bizarre case. There’s no other way of describing it.”
Wally Zigler, 48, said his father worked in a machine shop and received Social Security, pension checks and veteran benefits.
He said he tried to see his dad, but Ms. Chase wouldn’t let him in the house.
