Police: Son Hid Mother's Body to Cash Social Security Checks

BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) - A Burlington man is accused of hiding his mother's dead body so he could cash her social security checks.

The Burlington Housing Authority notified police of a death on North Ireland Street last Wednesday. The decomposed body of Lucy Mae Hutchins Wade, 94, was found inside the apartment.

According to investigators, Wade died of natural causes.

Police say Don Lee Wade, 50, was aware of his mother's death since March but did not notify police. Investigators say he continued to collect her mail, cash social security checks and use her debit card six months after she died. Wade also used her food stamps.

Wade admitted to police he was aware of his mother's death. His mother's body was discovered by a maintenance worker last week, while doing a routine building check.

According to the victim's neighbor, she saw Lucy's son going in the apartment for several months. He told neighbors that his mother was in a nursing home.

Wade is charged with concealing a death and was placed in the Alamance County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

Police are working with the Social Security Administration to determine how much money was taken since the the woman's death in March.