A 12-year-old boy was exploring a dilapidated house in his neighborhood Sunday when he discovered a mummified human corpse hanging by the neck from a belt in the closet.
The body of Edward Brunton had been hanging in the Dayton, Ohio, home for five years, CNN reports. He apparently committed suicide.
The intact condition of Brunton’s corpse shocked the boy. His mother told CNN her son thought Brunton was a mannikin. A coroner explained to WDTN the body was protected from sun, humidity and extreme temperatures, since it was in a closet.
Brunton’s neighbors said they thought his overgrown house was abandoned.