A Rochester, New York, woman and her boyfriend are facing murder and kidnapping charges after her 33-year-old son was found dead inside an apartment weighing just 88 pounds, with investigators alleging he had been restrained and deprived of food and water.
Timothy Green was found dead on the floor of an apartment at 125 St. Paul Street on Feb. 17 after a 911 call reported an unresponsive man inside, according to Rochester police.
First responders found Green naked, severely malnourished and covered in bruises, including marks around his wrists and ankles. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said Green’s biological mother, Andrea Livers, 58, and her boyfriend, Lancysa Harris, 42, were inside the apartment and had placed the 911 call.
Rochester Police Capt. Frank Umbrino said the information they initially gave first responders was minimal and did not make sense. Investigators said both later stopped cooperating with detectives.
What detectives found inside the apartment made the case even more disturbing.
Police said a search turned up handcuffs, barbells, gym weights and what investigators described as an unusually large amount of cleaning supplies. They also said they found no clothing, bedding or personal belongings belonging to Green, despite authorities saying he lived there.
Investigators now allege Green had been physically restrained using handcuffs and home gym weights.
“How Timothy died is beyond disturbing, disgusting and unfathomable to any normal person,” Umbrino said during a news conference.
The medical examiner did not immediately determine how Green died.
That changed in July, when the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide. Police said the official cause was severe dehydration and failure to thrive in a setting of probable restraint.
Authorities said additional evidence recovered from a cellphone later supported the finding that Green had been restrained before his death.
Green had developmental disabilities and needed assistance with more complicated daily tasks, police said.
He had spent much of his life in Alabama with his father and stepmother. According to investigators, his biological mother had previously lost custody of him over abuse-related issues when he was younger.
After his father died in 2023, Green moved to Rochester hoping to reconnect with Livers.
Police said his circumstances began changing around June 2024.
Harris became the designated payee for Green’s Social Security and SNAP benefits, according to investigators. Around the same time, Green allegedly stopped attending medical appointments and other scheduled services.
Authorities said Green had previously weighed about 130 pounds. By the time he was found dead, he weighed only 88 pounds.
Detectives also reviewed approximately 45 days of surveillance footage from the apartment building.
Police said Green was never seen entering or leaving the apartment during that entire period.
The only people regularly seen coming and going were Livers and Harris, according to investigators.
Authorities also allege that SNAP benefits intended to provide food for Green were instead used by Livers and Harris for themselves.
The investigation into the handling of Green’s Social Security and food-assistance benefits is continuing with federal authorities, Rochester police said.
Livers and Harris were arrested Sept. 15 on a sealed indictment. The indictment was unsealed the following day.
Both are charged with second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. Police said the alleged abuse covered at least the period between Jan. 19 and Feb. 17, though investigators have indicated it may have gone on longer.
The charges are allegations, and neither defendant has been convicted.
Their next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 23.
