A man in Devon, UK, lived for years with the body of his ex-partner hidden under a blanket. Jamie Stevens, 51, left the remains of 41-year-old Anouska Sites in his lounge until police discovered them in May 2025. She was last seen alive in May 2022.
Prosecutors told Exeter Crown Court that Ms Sites had a history of mental health struggles and addictions, often coming into contact with police. Stevens claimed she visited in January 2023 to stay the night. The next day, he found her dead on the sofa, covered her with a blanket, and avoided the room.
When officers entered the flat, they described it as a hoarder’s home, littered with rubbish and scented items to mask odors. “We found a skeletal arm under the blanket,” police reported.
Stevens admitted to preventing a lawful burial and lying to police about her whereabouts. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison.
What drives someone to hide a death instead of calling for help?