Wadesboro police and Anson County Sheriff's deputies discovered two bodies inside a former funeral home Wednesday. Investigators said it all began with a confession in court.
Investigators said Mary McLendon, the former director of McLendon Funeral Home on North Greene St., led police to one body after she was convicted in court Wednesday.
READ THE THURSDAY UPDATE: Documents say funeral director was paid to cremate remains, but never did
McLendon was sentenced to 6-17 months in prison for obtaining property by false pretenses. Investigators said she failed to take a body to the crematorium despite accepting money from family members for funeral costs.
That corpse was never recovered. In court, a judge ordered she reveal where she had been keeping the body.
Police said McLendon led Wadesboro officers to a back room inside her former funeral home Wednesday afternoon where investigators discovered a corpse wrapped in cloths in a casket.
During the search, authorities told Channel 9 they found a second body inside the funeral home.
"The second body was lying on a table," said Chief Thedis Spencer with Wadesboro police department. "It was out in the open."
Spencer said it will take time to identify the bodies because they are both so badly decomposed.
Investigators are also working to determine when the bodies were placed in the funeral home because it has been shut down for the past two years.
Back in 2012, Channel 9 reported when McLendon lost her license to run a funeral home after three bodies were discovered inside that had not been properly disposed of. McLendon did not face criminal charges in that case.
Investigators said McLendon could now face additional charges. The investigation is ongoing.
Read our past coverage on this case:
Investigators said Mary McLendon, the former director of McLendon Funeral Home on North Greene St., led police to one body after she was convicted in court Wednesday.
READ THE THURSDAY UPDATE: Documents say funeral director was paid to cremate remains, but never did
McLendon was sentenced to 6-17 months in prison for obtaining property by false pretenses. Investigators said she failed to take a body to the crematorium despite accepting money from family members for funeral costs.
That corpse was never recovered. In court, a judge ordered she reveal where she had been keeping the body.
Police said McLendon led Wadesboro officers to a back room inside her former funeral home Wednesday afternoon where investigators discovered a corpse wrapped in cloths in a casket.
During the search, authorities told Channel 9 they found a second body inside the funeral home.
"The second body was lying on a table," said Chief Thedis Spencer with Wadesboro police department. "It was out in the open."
Spencer said it will take time to identify the bodies because they are both so badly decomposed.
Investigators are also working to determine when the bodies were placed in the funeral home because it has been shut down for the past two years.
Back in 2012, Channel 9 reported when McLendon lost her license to run a funeral home after three bodies were discovered inside that had not been properly disposed of. McLendon did not face criminal charges in that case.
Investigators said McLendon could now face additional charges. The investigation is ongoing.
Read our past coverage on this case:
WSOC
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