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Updated 06/18/2010 06:05 AM

Woman keeps corpses of sister, husband in home

By: Tamara Lindstrom

Pennsylvania police have made a gruesome discovery: An elderly woman had been living with two corpses in her home. Our Tamara Lindstrom has the details, including just how those bodies got there.

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BRADFORD COUNTY, Pa. -- The neighborhood in Wyalusing Township is a picture of peaceful rural life.

"Quiet. Really quiet. Really good people. We know almost everybody, you know, on the road," said neighbor Brandon Porter.

But one house on Old Stagecoach Road held a morbid secret. Jean Stevens, 91, wasn't living alone.

"We discovered the human remains of one female subject and one male subject," said Bradford County coroner Thomas Carman. "The male subject was located in a garage and the female subject was located in a spare bedroom."

Stevens and her twin sister, June, married brothers. Neither couple had any children. Neighbors say the widow kept to herself.

Stevens' husband, James, was laid to rest at Lime Hill Cemetery after he passed away more than ten years ago. But police say he wouldn't stay buried long before his wife, along with some help, came back for him. She dug him up and took him home.

"It is believed that his remains have been present in the residence since shortly after his death," said Lt. Rick Krawetz of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Last October, Jean's sister died of natural causes. She was buried on Stevens' property and police say, once again, the woman asked for help bringing her sister home. There, the two bodies remained until a visit by social workers led to an investigation.

"And on Wednesday, June 16th, both gravesites were disinterred by the Bradford County coroner's office. Both sites contained an empty coffin." Krawetz said.

The bodies of Stevens' sister and husband had been embalmed before burial and were mummified.

"Mummified in the sense of dry, leathery type skin. This is the first time I've ever come across this situation. It has been quite surreal," Carman said.

"It would be shocking for any community. This one as much as any other I guess," Porter said.

The bodies have been removed, leaving Mrs. Stevens alone in her home.

Police said Stevens has cooperated with the investigation. They would not name the suspects who helped exhume the bodies. The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed.