Mummified Man's Body Found on Toilet in California amid Search for Missing Woman, Police Say

Mar. 15, 2025

Union City Police said officers found the man’s dead body at the home on Appian Way in August while looking for the woman who had been reported missing, according toCW affiliate KRONand theEast Bay Times.

The officers were searching for a missing 95-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease when a family member asked them to check the home,CBS affiliate KPIXreported.

The woman was not inside the home, having moved to a senior home two years prior, per the reports. But police did find the mummified body of a man on the toilet.

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“It’s really strangely common for us to find people in the restroom,” UCPD Sergeant Brandon Hayward said, per KRON.

A second man was found inside the home who appeared to be mentally ill, and had mold growing out of one of his ears, according to KPIX and theTimes. He is believed to be the dead man’s brother.

A police report said officers who responded to the scene found the property littered with garbage and a “noticeable presence” of flies inside the residence, as well as a foul smell.

“The backyard and the front yard was filled with trash,” said neighbor Bruce Chan, per KPIX. “It was piled up to 10 feet high or so with trash. We always wondered about it because the place always seemed really creepy.”

Union City Police Lt. Sergio Quintero confirmed to theTimesthat an investigation is ongoing.

The department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com