Woman lay dead in bed for months despite visits

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Authorities are investigating why the body of an 88-year-old woman lay in her bed for up to eight months even though caretakers visited the house daily.

Sheriff's deputies say the corpse of Blanche Matilda Roth was found in her home Tuesday after a call to 911. The house is in Wilmington on the Atlantic coast.

New Hanover County Deputy Charles Smith said Roth likely died in May.

Smith would not specify if the daily caretakers were family members but said they were not nurses.

Failure to report a death is a felony in North Carolina.

Smith said the residence was very well kept. He said police hadn't received any calls requesting welfare checks on Roth.

Officials are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death.