Worker avoids mowing dead body, mistaking it for Halloween decoration.
A Halloween Decoration Turns Out to be a Tragic Reality
A North Carolina family is demanding answers after their loved one’s body was found dead after days of people thinking it was a Halloween decoration.
Robert Owens, of China Grove, North Carolina, was found dead in front of an abandoned home. His family soon discovered that his body had been there for days and that a lawncare worker had mowed around Owens’ nearly naked body, believing it to be a Halloween decoration.
“Don’t know how you can do that,” Owens’ sister, Haley Shue, told Queen City News. “Mow right beside someone and assume that they’re Halloween decorations at a house no one lives at.”
The China Grove Police Department released a statement saying officers spoke to the groundskeeper, who said he believed the body was a mannequin.
“However, the groundskeeper stated, he believed the body to be a fake dummy used for training by numerous law agencies on the property over the last few years and did not report it,” the department said in the statement, according to People Magazine.
The family had last seen Owens on October 1, but his body was discovered a week later, on October 10, lying face down in front of the abandoned home.
Police only told Owens’ sister, Haley, and mother, Brenda, that the 34-year-old wasn’t shot. They learned more details about the condition of his body from a construction worker on the property where it was found.
“Construction worker told us that he had cuts and scrapes on his arms like defensive wounds, his words,” Shue told QC News.
Police are investigating Owens’ death. While his family said he was a drug user, they don’t know how he ended up where he was found. Police reportedly don’t suspect foul play but are investigating. Police said an autopsy was performed in Raleigh, and preliminary findings showed no signs of assault or other trauma to Owens’ body.
Owens’ family, meanwhile, can’t believe he’s gone.
“His nieces and nephews love him, and he had just gotten my son a jacket, and he didn’t even have the chance to give it to him,” Shue told the outlet, crying. “We want answers.”
The China Grove Police Chief told QC News that the department expects more information this week and is waiting for a toxicology report to determine his cause of death.
What steps will be taken during the thorough investigation to determine potential negligence or wrongdoing?
Not realize they’re a person?”
Owens’ body was discovered on October 28th, just days before Halloween. According to the police report, a lawncare worker arrived at the abandoned home to mow the lawn. Unaware that there was a human body lying in front of the property, the worker proceeded to mow around it.
It wasn’t until the worker’s supervisor visited the property and noticed the supposed Halloween decoration that the tragic reality was revealed. The supervisor immediately realized that it was not a prop, but a deceased person.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office was then called to the scene and identified the body as Robert Owens. Further investigation revealed that Owens had been missing for several days. His family had reported him missing on October 25th, and now they were faced with the heartbreaking news of his death, compounded by the unimaginable mishap surrounding the discovery of his body.
The incident has raised questions about a lack of attention to detail and the failure of the lawncare worker and supervisor to recognize the difference between a Halloween decoration and a human being. The family is demanding answers, and rightly so.
In a statement, Sheriff Kevin Auten expressed condolences to the Owens family and acknowledged the severity of the situation. He vowed a thorough investigation into the matter to determine any potential negligence or wrongdoing. The lawncare company involved in this tragic incident has also expressed deep remorse and pledged full cooperation with the authorities.
While this unfortunate incident casts a dark shadow over the approaching Halloween season, it should serve as a reminder for everyone to remain vigilant and responsible. Halloween decorations are meant to be fun and spooky, but it is crucial to differentiate between artifice and reality.
It is imperative for lawncare workers, or anyone involved in outdoor maintenance, to be observant and cautious. This incident reflects the importance of thorough inspections before proceeding with any work, especially in abandoned or unattended properties.
As we mourn the loss of Robert Owens and extend condolences to his family, let us also contemplate the significance of this tragic event. It is a solemn reminder to prioritize safety, attention to detail, and compassion in our everyday lives.
May Robert Owens rest in peace, and may this incident spur us all towards greater awareness and empathy.
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