Pocono News Section

Two Found Dead in Hazleton, Neighbors Saddened

Two Found Dead in Hazleton, Neighbors Saddened - Monday, September 21, 2009 at 6:25PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Monday, Sep 21, 2009 @ 06:25pm EDT
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Two people were found dead Sunday morning at a home in Hazleton. While it appears the elderly mom and her adult son died from natural causes, neighbors were saddened by the news.

The bodies of an elderly woman and her physically-challenged adult child were taken from the home at 7 Newport Road in Birchknoll Estates in Hazleton Sunday morning.

Neighbor Joy Berry told Eyewitness News, "You would not expect such things like this, everybody's pretty u know, know everybody around here, & everybody talks to everybody, so it is shocking to know that someone had passed away up there."

Hazleton police and the coroner's office told Eyewitness News that they were called to 7 Newport Road Sunday morning after neighbors noticed that the outdoor lights on the home remained on.

Police discovered two bodies when they peered inside the home. Apparently, the elderly mother passed away first, perhaps as long as a week ago. The adult son, who was unable to care for himself, then passed away a couple days later.

"It's scary. Apparently they were there for a few days. From what we're hearing is that they've been there awhile," added Berry.

Hazleton police checked the house for carbon monoxide, but did not discover any. The coroner's office says both people died from natural causes. Another neighbor we spoke to said the elderly woman was pleasant.

Maggie Gavitt said, "It's pretty upsetting. I know one time she gave my kids brownies, but I really don't know her. It seems like she was a nice woman, very nice."

Hazleton Code Enforcement was on hand Monday morning to lock up the house. Names of the deceased have still not been released because police are having difficulty locating family.

If no one is found the state will handle the burial and cease control of their home.