The parents of a disabled woman whose body was found partially naked and covered in wounds and feces in their living room face charges of second-degree murder and negligent homicide, officials say. Lacey Fletcher, 36, suffered from a rare neurological condition called locked-in syndrome, which left her unable to move her muscles. Her body was found at her family home in the US state of Louisiana in January, partially naked, melted on a couch and covered with insects and her own body fluids, according to reports. The gruesome photos show the feces-covered furniture, in which Lacey may have been confined for 12 years, suffering from bed sores that reached to her bone. East Feliciana Parish medical examiner Dr Ewell Dewitt Bickham III told the Daily Mail that the scene was “humiliating”, adding that it was the most “horrible thing” he had ever seen in his life. “It’s unconscious, something you make horror movies about,” he said. When the doctor arrived at the house, he described that the stench that was emerging was so bad that it “almost drove you out of the house”. To view this video, enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The woman’s body was found in feces and urine (Image: East Feliciana Parish Coroner’s Office) He immediately realized that it was a “possible crime scene” and judged the death as homicide. Parents Sheila, 64, and Clay Fletcher, 65, were allegedly their daughter’s caregivers. Despite her serious condition, Dr Bickham said she had not seen a doctor in 20 years. Prosecutor Sam D’Aquilla said police were informed of Lacey’s death on Jan. 3 by Ms Fletcher, who called 911. When police arrived at the house, the couple “had no explanation” for what had happened to her. Although the couple has not yet been arrested or charged with a crime, the prosecutor’s office is reportedly making a second-degree indictment. Lacey suffered from a rare neurological condition called locked-in syndrome, which made it impossible for her to move her muscles (Image: Facebook) Sheila and Clay’s parents “had no explanation” for what had happened to their daughter (Image : Facebook) Dr. Beckham will present the case before a 12-member jury tomorrow in Clinton court, where they will decide on the charges of negligent homicide, negligent homicide or second-degree murder. “I probably won’t even have to open my mouth, the photos will show it,” said the doctor. “Jurors are storekeepers, farmers – many have never been exposed to these things, so I asked for a medical team to be found outside the courtroom.”
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Mr D’Aquilla confirmed to the newspaper that he would ask for a second grade because Lacey’s parents “did not do what they should have done”. “Negligent homicide is from zero to five years. “Murder is from zero to 40 years and the second degree is life imprisonment,” he said. He added: “We do not treat animals or neglect our animals in this way. If you have an animal in this condition, go to the vet. Metro.co.uk contacted Mr D’Aquilla’s office for comment. Contact our news team by emailing us at [email protected] For more stories like this, check out our news page.
