Man’s ‘mummified’ body found in bathtub, police claim thieves were living with corpses

Authorities in Georgia have arrested seven people after they say they found signs of a break-in at the home of a 71-year-old man who police believe died months ago and was left decomposing inside the home.

The seven people have not been charged in connection with the man’s death, which police believe was of natural causes.

Robert Westbrook, 71, was found dead in the bathtub of his home in Smyrna, Ga., earlier this month when authorities were conducting a welfare check on the residence, according to investigators. Atlanta News First, News Local 3 and WSB-TV reported.

The victim was named only by Atlanta News First.

“She was in a severe state of decomposition — it’s called mummification,” said Detective Daniel Goduto of the Cobb County Police Department.

“They lived in his house for… I don’t know how long. It was located in the bathroom and there’s only one bathroom in the house,” Goduto told WSB-TV.

Police determined that Westbrook had likely been in that condition for three months and appeared to have died of natural causes, according to Atlanta News First.

It was not immediately clear who requested the welfare check. Police told WSB-TV that all of Westbrook’s family members are deceased.

7 suspects take over a dead man’s house with the mummified body still inside, live off his money

Goduto found the home “ransacked” when he got there, he said, according to Atlanta News First, Local 3 News and WSB-TV.

“Drawers were knocked over, his master bedroom was completely messed up,” Goduto told Atlanta News First. “But then there were objects consistent with someone still living there.”

“His stuff was in the middle of the room and it was clear people were going through it looking for valuables to take,” he told Local 3 News.

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The next day, a neighbor called 911 to say unknown people were on Westbrook’s property, according to police, Atlanta News First reported.

Goduto found four of the suspects at the location along with a computer monitor, a bluetooth speaker and other items belonging to Westbrook, he told Local 3 News and Atlanta News First.

He claimed the suspects were in possession of the victim’s credit cards and had some checks from him, according to WSB-TV and Atlanta News First.

The seven suspects face multiple charges, including burglary, according to the report.