Husband Admits Wife Had 'Been Gone a Long Time' as He's Found Living With Her Decomposing Body
A Pennsylvania husband has been charged with multiple crimes after police discovered he had been living with his wife's decomposing corpse for an extended period. Michael Mikula, 68, allegedly told officers his wife had been "gone for a long time" when they found her body in an advanced state of decomposition at their home in South Londonderry Township.
Graphic Discovery During Wellness Check
According to authorities, the grim discovery was made on April 14 when officers conducted a wellness check at the couple's residence. Lebanon County District Attorney's Office reported that officers could smell decomposition odors from outside the property before even entering the home.
Police stated that Mikula initially communicated through a Ring doorbell device, claiming his wife was not present and was instead at Longwood Gardens. However, when he eventually opened the door, officers discovered the body of 66-year-old Sharlene Mikula lying on the bedroom floor.
Charges and Allegations
Mikula now faces serious charges including:
- Abuse of a corpse
- Neglecting the care of a dependent person
- Recklessly endangering another person
- Tampering with evidence
- Neglect resulting in death
Prosecutors allege that Mikula took deliberate measures to conceal his wife's passing, with the body remaining undiscovered "for at least one month" according to official documents. The district attorney's office stated there is no evidence that Mikula sought medical treatment for his wife before her death or notified authorities afterward.
Hindered Investigation
The advanced decomposition of Mrs. Mikula's body has significantly complicated the investigation into her death. Police reports indicate that the forensic examination has been hindered by the body's condition, making it difficult to determine the exact cause and manner of death.
X-rays reportedly revealed that Mrs. Mikula had multiple broken bones in varying stages of healing, leading to allegations that her death resulted from neglect. The coroner's office has indicated that full results from the investigation could take up to three months to complete.
Mikula's Account and Current Status
According to police statements, Mikula claimed he awoke one day to find his wife dead, stating she had not wanted to eat and kept falling out of bed. He allegedly told investigators he tried to get her to eat one meal per day and that her body only began showing signs of decomposition about a week before police arrived.
Mikula is currently being held on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 23. The investigation into Mrs. Mikula's death remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding this disturbing case.
The police report quoted Mikula as saying: "Michael Mikula advised that he found Sharlene dead after waking up in the early morning or afternoon. He stated that she did not look decomposed until about a week ago. Michael Mikula advised that her body had puddles of blood coming out of her mouth and around it."
