Jo-Whitney Outland arrested after a welfare check leads to the discovery of her 78 year old deceased mother’s body at their Bristol, Virginia home.
A 55 year old woman has been arrested after the body of her 78 year old mother was found surrounded by 66 air fresheners at their home in Bristol, Virginia.
Jo-Whitney Outland was booked with felony concealment of a body after her mother’s body was found in a rocking chair following a welfare check at the residence.
Concerned relatives who hadn’t heard from Outland’s elderly mom, Rosemary- come Monday decided to check on the woman at the residence, authorities said.
After Outland turned them away, saying her mom wasn’t home, they climbed through a window, according to police.
‘They found what they believed was their deceased aunt inside the home,’ Sgt. Steve Crawford told the Bristol Herald Courier. ‘They couldn’t tell for sure.’
The relatives called 911 and authorities entered the home to find Rosemary’s body under more than 50 blankets.
‘I pulled back the blankets, and I see the body of an elderly female under these blankets,’ Crawford said. ‘There were all of these air fresheners around.’
Officers wore protective suits as they dug through the blankets, car air fresheners and other items, to recover Rosemary’s body.
Police said there were no signs of foul play on her body and they believe she died from natural causes.
Near the body, there was a letter penned by Outland claiming her mother died in December 2018.
‘It’s very bizarre,’ Crawford said. ‘I don’t know what her future plans were.’
Not immediately clear is why the mother declined notifying authorities following the death of her mother.
It’s very bizarre. I have no clear idea. I don’t know what her future plans was,’ contemplated Crawford. ‘All she had to do was pick up the phone and call an ambulance, and it would have been over.’
Jo-Whitney Outland could now herself being jailed for up to five years, and fined up to $2,500.
