A 64-year-old Sebastian woman was arrested Thursday, July 8, 2022, for failing to report the death of her mother, Marie Hoskins, and tampering with evidence, which is a felony.
As Sebastian Daily previously reported, officers with the Sebastian Police Department located 93-year-old Marie Hoskins deceased inside a chest freezer after a welfare check at 107 Paddock Street.
“During her interview with police detectives, Michele admits to finding her mother deceased in her bedroom. Michele subsequently purchased a deep freezer to conceal her mother’s death for the concern she would not be able to receive her disability benefits,” Capt. Timothy Wood said.
“During the execution of a search warrant on the property, a heavily soiled bed mattress was located concealed in thick brush and covered by cut palm tree branches in the backyard,” Wood added.
The investigation revealed the death was from natural causes and that she was deceased for approximately two weeks before being placed inside the chest freezer.
Michele Hoskins is currently at the Indian River County Jail with a $10,000 bond.
