A Springfield woman has been charged with concealing the death of her 86-year-old neighbor.
Court records indicate 59-year-old Gena English-Wheat was charged on Wednesday.
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon on Monday said Springfield Police called him on November 6 last year to the home on Salem Road on the city’s northwest side.
Allmon said he was able to identify the remains as Lillie Prindle, although she had been dead for an extended time.
Springfield Police said English-Wheat told detectives she discovered Prindle deceased in the home in August 2022, placed blankets over the body and did not notify authorities.
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. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12
