Joyce Vincent was found in her London apartment, sitting in front of her TV, which was still switched on, surrounded by wrapped up Christmas presents she never managed to deliver, two years after she had died. Even the heating was still on.
According to an inquest at Hornsey Coroner’s Court, she most likely died during the Christmas period of 2003. An open verdict was recorded.
Because her body was so decomposed, the only way to identify her was to check dental records against a smiling picture of her. It is thought she probably died of natural causes. As a helpful autopsy is probably impossible, no one will really know how she died.
Housing officials had come to talk to her about her rent, which was thousands of pounds overdue. A locksmith was brought in to open the front door.
One neighbour said she had noticed a strange smell, some time ago, coming from the bedsit.
(Bedsit = A one-room-apartment).
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today