MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Memphis woman is facing criminal charges after police discovered her daughter’s decomposed body inside a hotel room where the two had been staying, authorities said.
Kimberly Moore, 46, was arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse and failure to report the discovery of a dead body, according to the Memphis Police Department.
Deputies were called to the Home Inn Suites on Lowrance Road Thursday after the hotel manager requested a welfare check due to Moore making unusual statements, including a claim that her husband “owned” the hotel.
When deputies arrived, they spoke with Moore, who repeated the ownership claim and said she was at the property to monitor employees. Officers noted in court documents that they were not initially alarmed by her behavior.
However, during the interaction, deputies detected a strong odor coming from Moore’s room. When questioned about it, Moore allegedly acted as if she didn’t notice the smell and began behaving oddly.
Deputies then investigated further and discovered the mummified remains of Moore’s daughter inside the room.
Authorities have not yet released the identity or age of the deceased.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be considered pending autopsy results.