Police: Woman hid mom's body with blankets, air fresheners

BRISTOL, Va. – Authorities say a woman hid her mother's decomposing body inside their Virginia home for weeks, covering it with dozens of blankets and surrounding it with air fresheners to mask the smell.

News outlets report that 55-year-old Jo-Whitney Outland was charged with felony concealment of a body. Bristol police detective Sgt. Steve Crawford says the investigation began Monday when Outland's relatives were concerned about 78-year-old Rosemary Outland. Investigators believe Rosemary Outland died in late December.

Crawford says authorities discovered the body propped up in a chair and covered with more than 50 blankets and pieces of clothing and over 60 air fresheners. He says medical examiners will confirm the identification and cause of death.

Jo-Whitney Outland told WJHL-TV on Thursday afternoon that she had covered her mother's body out of respect.