New Haven firefighters discovered the bodies of an 89-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman in a Whitney Avenue home after the property manager complained about a smell and flies coming from the unit.
The property manager of a two-family home at 655 Whitney Avenue went to the fire house on that street at 8:05 p.m. on Saturday with concerns about the first floor residents in the building after noticing " a large number of flies about the home and a strong odor of decomposition," police said.
As firefighters headed over, they notified police that they would have to knock the door in to gain access to the home to check on the residents. Police also responded. When firefighters and police forced entry into the home, they discovered a cluttered home filled with horded belongings, police said. Piles of furniture, books and debris made it difficult for firefighters and police to maneuver in the home.
Crews found an elderly man in one of the rooms who was likely dead for awhile, based on his level of decomposition.
Investigators from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to the scene.
Detectives decided a thorough search of the home was warranted and that anyone entering the home should wear protective clothing and respirators.
Upon further inspection, investigators found a second body of a dead woman in a different room.
Local
Nothing appeared to be suspicious about either death.
Police believe they were husband and wife, but said it is not confirmed. Their names have not been released at this time because police haven't identified family members to notify yet, police said.
The medical examiner's office will do autopsies on the bodies to determine the causes of death.
