Mummified man found in front of his Long Island TV

[peejay 327]

This sounds like some urban legend that seems to often find its way on the Associated Press. As if the electric company wouldn't cut the power after not paying the bill for a year. The TV being on for a year is plausible though.

Mummified man found in front of his Long Island TV

Associated Press

HAMPTON BAYS, N.Y. — The partially mummified body of a man dead for more than a year has been found in a chair in front of his television, which was still on, authorities said.

Vincenzo Ricardo, 70, apparently died of natural causes, said Dr. Stuart Dawson, Suffolk County's deputy chief medical examiner.

Police found Ricardo's body this week when they investigated a report of burst pipes.

The home's dry air had preserved his features, morgue assistant Jeff Bacchus said.

"You could see his face. He still had hair on his head," Bacchus said.

Ricardo's wife died years ago, and he lived alone, Dawson said.

"He hasn't been heard from in over a year. That's the part that baffles me," he said. "Nobody sounded the alarm."

Neighbors said they had thought Ricardo was in a hospital or nursing home.

"We never thought to check on him," said neighbor Diane Devon.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/bizarre/4561468.html

[Mags 112]

"We never thought to check on him," said neighbor Diane Devon.

I think we picked up on that point ourselves, Diane. Dearie me.

[brnidokiegurl 1]

Sad a person can not live a life where people would tend to miss even after a few days.

[Lurker 0]

Don't know if I would say he died in peace, or died alone? Maybe both. But I wouldn't want to die and people to forget about me like that. Small example, but it kind of tells you a bit about our society and how it has changed. Have we forgotten about our family so much that they die and we don't check up on them? A lesson is to be learned here, don't get too caught up in life to forget about the older people. Besides, they have so much to tell.

Edited February 18, 2007 by Lurker

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sad a person can not live a life where people would tend to miss even after a few days.

Yes.

[Mags 112]

Sad a person can not live a life where people would tend to miss even after a few days.

Unfortunately, it happens alot. More than we actually realise. And it IS a shame.

However, we must remember that many of the people who are found like this CHOSE that way of life. Yes, there are some who ended up alone through no fault of their own, but many others wanted to be simply left to their own devices.

[Reba 2]

I seriously have to wonder how the electricity was still on after a year. As the OP stated, who paid the bill and why didn't the power company cut it off? I dunno about elsewhere, but our local power company sends out shut off notices if you're just 2 fricken days late! And didn't anyone notice a smell during the summer?

[brnidokiegurl 1]

This person may have like my mom, alot of her bills come out of her bank account automaticly, and if tv was still on, so would maybe the a/c still be set to a cooler temp. Apparently they didnt have any kids, gkids, close to just drop in or call and get no answer. I once had a neighbor, fairly older, that i wouldnt see everyday so didnt really focus in if i didnt. But her sister lived next door to her, they had argued, but after a few days the sister came looking. When she didnt answer the door over and over or the phone the sister did call a lock person and they found her deceased.

[Heracles 417]

It is sad that someone can die and other people simply do not give a ######, even their family. I would wonder, hey I have not seen the neighbor for a while..

[de_sjiem 0]

I seriously have to wonder how the electricity was still on after a year. As the OP stated, who paid the bill and why didn't the power company cut it off? I dunno about elsewhere, but our local power company sends out shut off notices if you're just 2 fricken days late! And didn't anyone notice a smell during the summer?

Like brnid said, he probably had his bills coming out automatically.. its very common to have automatic payments come out now, and it really can make things easier..

[JelloShotGirl 0]

if he died late summer, that explains why electric still on, Long Island power authority cannot shut down heat/electril till like um, March or APril, by law. cause gets so cold .... and no one is really around hampton bays till SUmmer when Jo Lo and other people like Diddy get there LOL!

[JelloShotGirl 0]

unfortunately on Long Island there are a lot of peeps that ignore their neighbors...................................................

[Fandango 1,440]

so sad!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Sad a person can not live a life where people would tend to miss even after a few days.

That's Long Island for you.