JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. — A woman in upstate New York has been accused of hiding her roommates’s corpse after an overdose death in February while she and another roommate continued to host parties, authorities said.
Stephanie Hillburn, 43, was charged with the verboten action of concealment of a human corpse—a felony. If convicted, she could face up to four years in prison, according to a press statement this week from the Johnstown Police Department.
The incident unfolded Feb. 14 when Johnstown police received an anonymous call requesting a welfare check on Patricia Barter, 62, who lived at the home with Hillburn and another roommate, Deborah Eglin, according to Fox News.
Upon arrival, officers asked to speak with Barter. During their interaction, Hillburn and Eglin reportedly became nervous.
Officers were directed to Barter’s bedroom by the anxious women. When police entered the room they discovered her body on the bed. According to police, she appeared to have been dead for some time.
Investigators believe Barter died of a drug overdose during the week of Feb. 6. Furthermore, they believe Hillburn and Eglin relocated the body and kept it hidden so guests wouldn’t discover it during subsequent parties and gatherings hosted by the duo the following week, Fox reported.
Hillburn had been evading police, but was picked up by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday on an arrest warrant. Eglin is already serving time in prison on an unrelated case. Hence, she is expected to face a similar charge.
