Couple Lived with Corpse for 18 Months to Collect Social Security Benefits in Twisted Case

A Colorado couple is accused of keeping the body of their former lover hidden in their home for more than a year — all so they could keep collecting his Social Security payments.

James David Agnew, 55, and his wife, Suzanne Ruth Agnew, 57, are behind bars facing charges that include tampering with a deceased human body and abuse of a corpse. Police say the pair secretly lived with the remains of 62-year-old James O’Neill for roughly 18 months in their Lakewood apartment, all while draining his bank account.

According to an arrest affidavit, O’Neill’s brother contacted police in late June after not seeing him since 2019 or speaking with him since 2021. When officers first arrived at the apartment, James Agnew allegedly pretended to be O’Neill, but the ruse fell apart when the family confirmed it wasn’t him.

Police say the Agnews gave conflicting stories about O’Neill’s whereabouts, first claiming he had moved out years ago, then hinting he was still around but unavailable. Suspicion grew when the couple readily handed over his bank and Social Security information during a phone call about an “inheritance” deposit — but went silent once told O’Neill would have to appear in person.

Investigators discovered regular withdrawals from O’Neill’s account, including his $967 monthly Social Security payments. Surveillance footage from a 7-Eleven showed James Agnew using the dead man’s debit card.

When police returned with a search warrant in early July, Suzanne Agnew reportedly confessed they would find O’Neill’s body inside. Detectives say his remains were discovered covered by a deflated air mattress — a makeshift attempt to keep the couple’s chihuahuas from disturbing the corpse.

Suzanne told police the three had been in a long-term intimate relationship and lived together for years. She claimed O’Neill died in December 2023 from natural causes or possible drug use and admitted she refused to report his death, acknowledging “it was wrong.” James allegedly admitted to using O’Neill’s debit card and later conceded that keeping the death secret was tied to the Social Security income.

Police estimate the couple collected about $17,406 in benefits after O’Neill’s death. They are not accused of causing his death, but they now face a stack of felony charges in a case as bizarre as it is disturbing.