Springfield Police have charged 59 year-old Gena English-Wheat with concealing the death of her 86-year-old neighbor Lillie Prindle.
Police made contact with English-Wheat on Feb. 24, 2026. After being advised of her rights, she told detectives she discovered Prindle deceased in the home in August 2022, placed blankets over the body and did not notify authorities because she “did not want anyone to know,” according to investigators.
Police said English-Wheat admitted she continued paying the home’s utility bills and arranging for lawn care while making withdrawals from Prindle’s account in an effort to conceal the death and maintain access to the funds.
According to police, English-Wheat has prior arrests and convictions, including convictions for theft. English Wheat was arrested on charges of Concealment of Death
