A Pennsylvania man has been charged with abuse of a corpse after allegedly living in a home with his mother’s decomposing body for several days. Derrick Bouffard, 37, is accused of continuing to reside in the Bensalem home while his mother, 70-year-old Cynthia Bouffard, lay deceased in the residence for over a week.
Welfare Check Leads to Discovery
On October 26, 2025, police conducted a welfare check at a home on Hunter Court after concerns about the property were raised. The lawn was overgrown, and a foul odor was reported, prompting authorities to visit the location around 3 p.m. When officers arrived, Bouffard answered the door and allegedly told them, “I was just about to call you guys. My mom stopped breathing this morning.”
Horrific Discovery Inside the Home
Upon entering the home, police found Cynthia Bouffard’s body lying on a mattress in the first-floor family room. Investigators described her remains as “skeleton-like” and noted she appeared to have been deceased for more than a few hours. The body was covered in insects, and her eyes were barely visible. Officers also noted the home was in disarray with a strong smell of decomposition, several fans placed throughout the house, and baking soda scattered around surfaces to mask the odor.
Cause of Death and Investigation Details
An autopsy revealed that Cynthia Bouffard had likely died at least seven days before her body was discovered, although some reports suggest it could have been closer to two weeks. Authorities also found that Bouffard had continued ordering food delivery to the home during this period and would have walked past his mother’s body each time he went to the door. His phone history also showed searches about how to report a death and when to notify a bank, further raising suspicion.
Family’s Statements and Bouffard’s Charges
Family members informed investigators that Cynthia Bouffard suffered from advanced dementia and was unable to walk or talk. They explained that her son had been her primary caregiver. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office stated that the medical examiner determined she died of natural causes and that there was no evidence she had been denied food.
Derrick Bouffard has been charged with abuse of a corpse and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 8, 2025.
