Police: Skeletal Remains Of Woman, Neglected Animals Found In Deming

Police checking on a woman who had not been seen for a while found human skeletal remains and a dead cat inside a pet carrier at her home, along with seven other animals authorities said were neglected.

Neighbors called Adult Protective Services after they hadn’t seen Virginia Morrow in a while. Officials at APS then called the Deming Police Department when they could not get a hold of Morrow.

Deming Police Specialist Matthew Ruddiger said police were called out to the 1900 block of South Iron Street on Tuesday to investigate the whereabouts and condition of Morrow. He said that Morrow had been living with her daughter Linda Morrow, who met with officers at the South Deming home and allowed them in the house.

Police said they spotted a woman’s skeletal remains late Tuesday, but could not confirm whether the skeletal remains are those of Virginia Morrow. Police, who would not say where inside the home the remains were found or for how long they might have been there, did rule the death as suspicious.

Investigators said they also found they encountered obvious signs of animal neglect, including six dogs and a cat that were in “pretty bad shape,” and the skeleton of a cat that was found inside a carrier crate.

“Human remains had been found and they appear that they have been there for a while,” Ruddiger said. “The foul odor that had been coming from the home, was consistent with the animal cruelty investigation.”

Neighbor Barbara Lawrence, who was shocked at the discovery police made, said she has lived next to the Morrows for two and a half years and never once met or even saw Virginia Morrow.

“It wasn’t the environment her mother should be in,” Lawrence said. “And then when I saw them pull her body out of that garage, I mean, it just turns your stomach.”

No arrests have been made in the woman’s death.

Ruddiger said Linda Morrow has been questioned about the death. She is currently facing seven charges of animal cruelty and one count of extreme animal cruelty. She was described as being in her 50s

Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy and an investigation continues.