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Man Lived With Decomposing Mother for Weeks
21 Mar
Summary
- Man lived with mother's decomposing body for over a week.
- Authorities found the body after a welfare check due to odor.
- The man is charged with abuse of a corpse and due in court April 8.
In Bensalem, Pennsylvania, a 37-year-old man, Derrick Bouffard, has been charged with abuse of a corpse. Authorities discovered the remains of his 70-year-old mother, Cynthia Bouffard, in their shared home on Hunter Court on October 26, 2025. Police were alerted by concerns over an overgrown lawn and a foul odor emanating from the property.
Upon entering the residence, officers found Cynthia Bouffard's body on a mattress in the family room. Her remains were severely decomposed, described as skeleton-like with minimal flesh. An autopsy determined she had likely been deceased for at least seven days, possibly up to two weeks.
Investigators found the home in disarray, with strong decomposition odors, insects, and multiple fans. Baking soda was spread on surfaces, apparently to mask the smell. Bouffard reportedly continued to order food deliveries and search for information on reporting deaths during this period.
Family members indicated that Cynthia Bouffard had advanced dementia and relied on her son as her primary caregiver. The medical examiner concluded her death was due to medical causes and did not suggest neglect of food. Bouffard is due in court for a preliminary hearing on April 8.
