COOPER TOWNSHIP, Mich- Hoarding may have contributed to the death of a 75-year-old Kalamazoo County woman, a family member of the victim told FOX 17.
The woman’s grandson found Lulubell Rose Vanwezema Thursday inside her home off 14th Street in Cooper Township. She was supposed to go to dinner with family members Thursday night but never showed up.
Investigators said the death may have been caused by exposure to extremely high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. The victim’s brother tells FOX 17 that piles of belongings and junk were strewn around the home. The contents may have blocked a carbon monoxide detector as well as vents which prevented any air to circulate.
The woman’s brother said the family has been trying to help their loved one deal with the hoarding problem for years but the issue spiraled out of control.
The family is now working on funeral plans and cleaning up the home.
An investigation into the exact cause of death is underway.
