Bad Staffelstein (dpa / lby) – The police discovered two bodies in a family home in Upper Franconia. Police found a lifeless 45-year-old and an elderly woman in a freezer. According to initial investigations, she is said to be the man’s 70-year-old mother, a spokeswoman said on Monday. Investigators assume a natural cause of death in both cases. The 45-year-old is said to have kept his mother’s body at home to continue receiving social benefits. According to the spokeswoman, the investigators conclude this from the man’s documents.

A resident initially saw his 45-year-old lifeless neighbor through a window of the house in Bad Staffelstein (Lichtenfels district) and called the police. Because he had not seen his neighbors for several days, the residents were concerned. When police officers searched the house on December 22, they found the two bodies.

After an autopsy, the investigators rule out a possible external influence in the death of the two. According to the investigation, the elderly woman died of natural causes several months ago. The criminal police and the public prosecutor’s office in Coburg are investigating.