Authorities in California have charged a woman with the murder of a 59-year-old man with cerebral palsy, whom she was supposed to be caring for. She also faces accusations of attempting to cover up the crime.

Richard McClintic was reported missing on October 25 after his family could not contact him at his residence on San Juan Road. Police conducted a welfare check on that day, but he was not found.

On November 6, officers secured a search warrant for the apartment, where they discovered McClintic’s body. Christina Cowens, aged 41, who was responsible for his care, has been arrested. She faces charges including unlawful disposal of human remains, grand theft, and attempting to conceal a death.

Following an autopsy, authorities have now added charges of homicide and fraud-related offenses against Cowens. However, the police have yet to reveal McClintic’s cause of death or provide any insights into a possible motive.

Brandon Klagenberg, McClintic’s nephew, shared with NBC affiliate KCRA that communication with his uncle became irregular following the death of McClintic’s sister. The family grew concerned when they started receiving messages from McClintic’s Facebook account that didn’t seem authentic, according to Klagenberg.

Concerned, family went over to his apartment but Cowens answered the door and wouldn’t let them inside.

That’s when the family contacted police, which started investigating as a missing persons case until finding his body. Klagenberg said Cowens has been caring for his uncle, who has little control over the right side of his body, for years. But family members grew wary of her when she wouldn’t let them see him, making them think she may have harmed him.

“This is what we expected all along,” he told KCRA.

McClintic loved sports, particularly the Pittsburgh Steelers, and although he needed help to get around was pretty independent, his nephew told local ABC affiliate KXTV.

“This is the will of somebody who is extremely resilient and overcome his conditions in life, and didn’t let that bring his entire world down,” Klagenberg said.

Now the family is grappling with the question of why someone would hurt their loved one.

“To know that someone is capable of doing this to a disabled person in my uncle’s condition is just outrageous,” Klagenberg said.

Cowens is slated to return to court on Nov. 24.