A Michigan Man Was Sentenced To Prison For Keeping His Dead Wife's Body in a Freezer For Almost a Year

In a disturbing case of neglect, a Michigan man has been sentenced to prison for hiding the death of his wife and keeping her body in a freezer for nearly a year.

Terrell York was sentenced to up to eight years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to concealing the death of his wife, Patricia M. York, 67. The discovery of Patricia's lifeless body in a chest freezer at their shared home sent shockwaves through the community.

During the sentencing hearing, Isabella County Circuit Judge Mark H. Duthie expressed his dismay at York's actions. "The facts of this case are horrible," he stated. "When a person passes away, there should be closure for the family, for the friends. A person's body after death should be treated with dignity and respect. It shouldn't be stuffed in a freezer like a piece of meat."

The investigation into Patricia's death began in April when her daughter, Michelle McGraw, reported not hearing from her mother for two years. Upon searching the couple's home, authorities made the grim discovery.

Initially, York claimed that Patricia had moved out and was living with family members in Newaygo, Michigan. However, authorities soon found inconsistencies in his story and inconsistencies in his behavior raised red flags.

Further questioning revealed that Patricia had passed away in September 2022 due to natural causes. Instead of reporting her death and making arrangements for her burial, York chose to keep her body in the freezer.

Prosecutors believe York's motive for concealing Patricia's death was to continue collecting her Social Security benefits. The affidavit filed in the case states that York used these payments to cover food and bills.

Despite York's actions, his attorney, Amy Chamberlain, painted a picture of a couple struggling with medical issues and financial hardship. She explained that York had lost his job due to these challenges.

In a heartbreaking statement delivered via Zoom, Michelle McGraw, Patricia's daughter, expressed her anguish. "I'm angry that my mom would be thought of as 'the person in the freezer' instead of a person who was loved and loved her family," she said. "She was a sister, an aunt, a mom, and a grandma."

York, who has not been accused of killing his wife, declined to make any comments at the sentencing.

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