Family Secret Unearthed During Gruesome House Cleanout

Upon inheriting her cousin Bob's suburban Philadelphia home, Eileen Stukane was confronted with a scene of extreme hoarding: a house choked with decades of debris, filth, and unopened mail. Instead of hiring professionals, Stukane and her sister embarked on a year-long, emotionally taxing journey to clean the property themselves, gaining insight into Bob's reclusive life after two traumatic events derailed his earlier years.

As they meticulously sifted through the accumulated possessions, a hidden family secret emerged. Stukane discovered letters detailing a conspiracy between her uncle and grandfather to deceive her father into believing his own father had died in childhood. This deception, kept secret for decades, added another layer of complexity to the already challenging task of confronting her cousin's hoarding.

The experience led Stukane to write a book, offering a detailed account of the cleaning process and her discoveries. She also explored the psychological aspects of hoarding, emphasizing the loneliness and hidden struggles of those affected. Ultimately, finding closure came not just from clearing the house, but from organizing a burial for Bob, laying him to rest with his parents.