Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Woman arrested after neighbour finds mother's body in freezer sold in US yard sale

Marcella Jean Lee told buyer not to open freezer 'because it was being used for time capsule'

Lizzie Dearden
Saturday 17 September 2016 08:58 BST
Comments
Marcella Jean Lee, 56, was arrested on charges of failing to report a death
Marcella Jean Lee, 56, was arrested on charges of failing to report a death (Goldsboro Police Department)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A woman has been arrested after her mother’s body was found in a freezer – after it was purchased by an unsuspecting neighbour at a yard sale in the US.

Marcella Jean Lee was arrested on Thursday in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, on charges of concealing or failing to report a death.

Police in Goldsboro said the 56-year-old had been wanted for more than three months after the gruesome discovery was reported.

Lee allegedly sold her mother’s freezer to a neighbour for $30 (£23) in May but told the buyer not to open it “because it was being used as a time capsule for a class project she was doing at church”, according to WECT News.

She promised parishioners would collect the items but they never arrived, prompting the buyer to eventually open the freezer, which had been taped shut, and discover the body inside.

A post mortem found no signs of foul play in the death of 75-year-old Arma Roush, who lived with Lee and was last seen in August 2015.

Lee is currently being held in the New Hanover County Jail.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in