When a person dies, part of the transition process is for them to be taken to a morgue pending when they are buried. However, Leandrew Smith Jr., an Alabama man took things too far when he allegedly lived with a dead relative for days which is now classified as corpse abuse. According to Alabama law, corpse abuse happens when a deceased human is knowingly treated in a way that will outrage ordinary family sensibilities. This is classified as a Class C felony hence his arrest.
While certain people around the world like the Toraja people of Indonesia keep their deceased for years to save up for big funerals, science has proven that deceased bodies can harbor bacteria that are infectious. Over time, the need to keep dead bodies away from the living gave rise to the use of morgues.
Who is Leandrew Smith Jr.?
He is an Alabama man who was born sometime in 1962. Details about his early life and his parents’ identity are still not known. He made the news in June 2023 when a body was found in the apartment he shares with an unidentified roommate.
Apparently, the deceased was his roommate whose death was not reported to the authorities.
The Truth About What Happened
On June 9, 2023, the police were alerted to the body of a deceased man by his -17-year-old son, Justin Hagler. According to investigations, the deceased may have been dead for days while his roommate, Smith Jr. did not report the matter.
Prior, Haggler reportedly saw his father on June 7, three days before the discovery. When he did not hear from him days later, he went to the deceased Sipsey home which he shared with Leandrew in the Fourth Avenue West neighborhood of Walkers County, Alabama.
However, Leandrew did not provide Hagler with the necessary information about his father’s whereabouts despite going to the house twice.
Moving on, the police arrested and jailed Smith Jr. at the Walker County jail on a $10, 000 bail bond.
See Also: Tragic Last Words: 15 Heartbreaking Things People Said Before They Passed
If Found Guilty, What Will Happen to Leandrew Smith Jr.?
The Sipsey native is now involved in a corpse abuse case. Under section 13A-11-13 of Alabama law, this is when a human corpse is treated in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities. These include when a person conceals, mutilates, removes, digs up, or destroys a human corpse.
Since the discovery of Leandrew’s deceased roommate, the District attorney ordered an autopsy to be performed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. The outcome of the findings will give new insight into the situation and the way forward.
As a class C felony in Alabama, if Leandrew is found guilty of committing a corpse abuse case or other crimes as well, he stands to face a prison sentence of 1 to 10 years.
While corpse abuse cases have been in existence for many years, it is worth noting that there are cultures around the world that celebrate death and even live with them before burial. In the US, it is prohibited by the law and therefore a punishable offense.
