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A woman’s body, found in a deteriorated state within her apartment, has led to her roommate’s arrest under suspicion of involvement in her death.
On January 21, authorities discovered the lifeless form of 47-year-old Lawanda McGee in her Missouri home, following a welfare check requested by her concerned family, as stated in a release by the St. Louis County Police Department. Neighbors had not seen McGee—who is survived by a 13-year-old daughter—since mid-December. She had fallen behind on rent, and her last activity on Facebook was dated December 15.
Upon investigation, McGee’s body was found cold and decomposing, nestled under blankets and clothing on the couch. This condition prompted police to classify her death as suspicious.
McGee’s roommate, Terrance Smith, was absent during the police visit. However, it was noted that he had been there the night before, and his belongings remained in the apartment.
Smith was apprehended on February 2, after returning to the apartment complex, at which point the leasing office informed the authorities.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on Smith for Abandonment of a Corpse, a class E felony which carries a penalty of up to four years in prison. Prosecutors allege that Smith knowingly left her corpse without reporting it to authorities.
McGee’s future was bright, her sister Ashley Barnett wrote on a GoFundMe page, adding that she had recently graduated from nursing school.
“Lawanda was just starting to get ahead of life when she passed away,” wrote Barnett, adding, “Her story deserves to be shared and heard amongst our community.”
Smith is in custody on a $100,000 cash only, no 10 percent bond. He is due to appear in court on Feb. 10 for a bond reduction hearing and again on March 4 for a preliminary hearing. It is unclear whether Smith has obtained an attorney.