Michigan Man Sentenced for Storing Dead Wife in Freezer

Terrell York hid his wife's death to continue collecting her Social Security payments, says prosecutor

Terrell York, a Michigan man, has been sentenced to up to eight years in prison for hiding the death of his wife, Patricia M. York, and storing her body in a freezer for about a year.
Patricia's body was discovered in a chest freezer at the home she shared with York in April, after her daughter, who hadn't been in contact with her mother for two years, notified the authorities.
York initially told authorities that Patricia had moved out and was living with family in Newaygo, Michigan, but later admitted that she died of natural causes in September 2022 and he didn't notify anyone, instead placing her body in the freezer.
Isabella County Prosecutor David Barberi alleged that York didn't report Patricia's death because he wanted to continue collecting her Social Security payments, which were spent on food and bills.
York's attorney, Amy Chamberlain, stated that the couple had medical issues and York lost his job as a result.