Elderly Woman Found Living With Dead Husband For a Month

[DiamondSmiles]

DECATUR, Alabama (AP) - March 10, 2014 (WPVI) -- An elderly woman who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, lived with her husband's body for a month after he died not realizing what happened, authorities said Monday.

The body of Jesse Kirby, 76, was discovered Friday afternoon in his bed when police went to the home to check on the couple, said Morgan County Coroner, Jeff Chunn.

Living inside the house was his wife, Doris Kirby, 78, who was hospitalized after the discovery.

The man had numerous health problems including heart issues and apparently died of natural causes in his sleep about four weeks ago, the coroner said.

The door was closed to the bedroom where the man died, Chunn said, and the woman continued living in other parts of the house with access to food.

"I don't think she even realized what was going on when emergency medical workers came to take her to the hospital," said Chunn.

Police saw the man's body through a window after going to the house in response to a relative who had been trying to contact the couple and could not reach them. Two dogs that apparently died of starvation, were found in the bedroom also.

Neighbors were unaware anything was wrong, said Dean Hayes, who lives nearby.

"It's a shame all of us live right here and didn't know how bad his health was," Hayes said.

Hayes said the Kirbys were good neighbors but seldom went outside. Hayes said she saw Doris Kirby about two weeks ago.

"I had seen her on the porch and then going to the mailbox, so I thought everything was all right," she said.

Chunn said the man has two children who live in the Decatur area, but, neither realized what had happened because their Kirbys were, "sort of, loners."

The children, who are grown, believed the man was taking care of the couple's needs, he said.

[mrm1109]

That's sad. You would think when your parents are like that you would call them daily to make sure things are ok

[Kelseecat65]

OMG - those poor dogs

[Susan]

How the hell have the children left them to fend for themselves in that state of health? Thinking they can justify their selfish behaviour by claiming the couple were loners???

[MrCorpse]

I think it's time Doris kicked the bucket as well, how do you not notice someone is dead for a month?

[tbone79]

Originally Posted by MrCorpse

I think it's time Doris kicked the bucket as well, how do you not notice someone is dead for a month?

"HONEYYY!!!!! Why don't you get off your dead ass and go mow the lawn? OHHH SHIIITTTTT!!! He really IS dead...!?! That explains a lot."

Pretty sad situation...

[CrunchyCripple]

Not just a person, but two dogs rotting as well!

[Sharon]

Surprised the dogs didn't eat the corpse.

Tragic situation

[Darkest Angel]

Originally Posted by Sharon.

Surprised the dogs didn't eat the corpse.

Tragic situation

They might have died first.


Can u imagine being so mentally null & void as to not even notice the smell of three rotting bodies?

[alyjo07]

I just don't understand how she couldn't have smelled that?!?!? REALLY?????