Police think the body found wrapped in a blanket is that of 90-year-old Anna Ragin, the owner of the house. Her daughter, 65-year-old Carolyn, also lived in the residence and was often seen walking her dog. But neighbors said Anna Ragin had not been seen for more than five years.
The body was discovered after Carolyn reportedly asked a tax consultant for some advice last week and mentioned her mother’s body was in the home. This admission prompted the tax consultant to call the police.
District supervisor Eric Mar said it took workers several days to remove all the trash before they could find the body.
“The hoarding is reportedly so bad that it’s up to the ceiling,” Mar said.
It is believed the daughter knew about the body but didn’t want to lose her mother, so she just kept her remains in the home. CBS San Francisco reported that Carolyn’s friend and neighbor, Sharon Scott Kish said, “I’m saddened that she couldn’t let her mother go. I saw her 3 days ago and I asked her, ‘Is your mother still with us?’ And she said ‘Yes.’ Delusional. She was with her. She was, she was still with her.”
The professional cleanup crew called in to deal with the trash-filled home reportedly found toxic mold and over 300 bottles filled with urine. Mar added: “Public health was dealing with the rats, and reported spiders, black widows and other things. My hope is that the Department of Public Health and the contractors are protecting the neighborhood from the infestation of different things.”