Woman Found Dead at Home

PHILLIPS, FRIEDMAN

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 10/14/2007 at 22:28:14

The Hawkeye, Wednesday, May 8. 1968, page 24

Woman Found Dead at Home

The severly decomposed body of 81 year old Burlington woman was discovered by police Tuesday night after they were sent to her residence by concerned neighbors.

Officers said the body of Mrs. Grace Phillips was found on the living room sofa of her home at 1015 N. Eighth.

Police Chief Robert Dunham said the death remains under investigation, but there is no evidence of foul play. The woman died the first week of April, according to the preliminary estimate by Dr. Burton Stone, acting medical examiner.

Dunham said a relative of Mrs. Phillips told them he had visited her in March and found her practically bedfast. The relative said the woman refused to go to the hospital.

Officers received a call at 5 p.m. from a nearby resident, expressing a concern about Mrs. Phillips welfare.

Doors to the house were locked, officers said, and they were forced to enter the house through a second story window. The bodies of five dogs were found in the home, police said. They speculate the dogs died of starvation.

Dr. Stone said the condition of the body would render an autopsy of no value. He said there was no evidence of external injury and he presuming the death was the result of natural causes.

Officers said electricityto the home had been shut off and that there was a notice on the door of the home that water service was scheduled to be terminated.

One neighbor told police he hadn't seen the woman for six months. Another estimated it had been a year since he last saw Mrs. Phillips.

Dunham said the death points up the need for neighbors to report any prolonged absenses of person of elderly age who live alone.

"I'm surprised a body could lie that long without police being notified," Dunham said.

Mrs. Phillips was born Apr. 23, 1897, in Burlington, the daughter of Edward J. and Emma Friedman. She was the widow of F.D. Phillips.

Mrs. Phillips was of the Catholic faith and for several years operated Phillips Insurance Agency.

Several cousins survive.

Committal services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Father James Quinlan officiating. Service will be preceded by prayers at Prugh's Chapel at 9:30 a.m. Friday.