Woman Who Died in '03 Left in Front of TV [Ohio}

AP/TBO ^ | January 9, 2006

[ncountylee]

CINCINNATI (AP) -- A dead woman dressed in white was positioned in a chair in front of a television set for 2 1/2 years because she told her caregiver that she didn't want to be buried and planned to return, the coroner said.

"Don't show my body when I'm dead," Hamilton County Coroner Dr. O'dell Owens said Monday in describing Johannas Pope's wishes. "Don't bury me. I'm coming back."

Pope, 61, died Aug. 29, 2003. Her caretaker and friend, whose name has not been released, left the woman upstairs in the home with the television and air conditioning on while the body slowly decayed and mummified, authorities said.

Some family members continued to live downstairs in the house since her death.

Police went to the house last Wednesday after a relative who hadn't seen Pope in 2 1/2 years called them. They found a staircase behind a door blocked by a basket and climbed to the second floor where they found the body.

"Standing outside, one could smell death," Owens said

[teenyelliott]

Hey, at 40, women are just reaching their prime!

[HairOfTheDog]

"She's just pining for the fjords..."

[pissant]

Yep, we'll be fitting you for dentures about then. LOL

[tet68]

36? YOu? Naaah. Ok, I'll give you 30.

[teenyelliott]

Speaking from experience, over forty person?

[pissant]

No. I just figured your teeth would be worn from overjawflappulation. A common female malady.

[msnimje]

Senate Judiciary Hearings?

[Servant of the 9]

What twisted geek at AP listed this under 'entertainment'?

So9

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

"Olfactory exhaustion". Actually, a dry body doesn't smell. If she was inadvertently dessicated, she wouldn't smell.

[cricket]

Some family members continued to live downstairs in the house since her death. . .Police went to the house last Wednesday after a relative who hadn't seen Pope in 2 1/2 years called them.

. ..and smelled 'death'. . .eeuuowwie. . .

That said. . .can only say. . . that this secret was not 'all in the family' but seems there was no harm done. But am betting the rest of the relatives who were wondering why they had not seen 'Johanna'. . .will not be sharing any graveside 'good-bye's'. . .now that they can.

[cricket]

Best laugh line. . .and agree; seem like a bit from 'what his name' . . .right. . .EAP. . .

[cricket]

LOL. . .now I am wondering. . .was she married? I used to know a 'Johanna'.. .if so. . .wonder what her maiden name was. . .

She was kind of strange. . .

[Casloy]

Some family members continued to live downstairs in the house since her death.

A two story trailer? Who woulda thunk?

[teenyelliott]

Just cause I type a lot doesn't mean I talk a lot.

But I like your new word.

[cricket]

I don't know how they stood the odor.

I don't know how they stood the very 'idea' that old Johanna. . .one floor above was petified in a sitting position. . .dressed in white and 'watching' tv. Did someone turn it off at night? On in the morning? Ever need to take TV out for a 'tune-up'. . or call someone in. . .because of technical difficulties?

(For some reason, am thinking it was not a new tv - but rather an old one. . .)

But who knows; maybe when she died; they bought her a plasma screen. . .

[cricket]

I have a hard time with smells...I can see things..but smells are hard on me......

How about 'odors'. . .easier than 'smells' I bet. . .

[marmar]

how about you get a life and quit patrolling a my post

[cricket]

it may not have an 'odor' but think you can smell death. . .nonetheless. . .

[EveningStar]

ping

[RangerM]

I don't know what she was watching, but her Tivo likely exploded. :)