Foul Odor Leads to Discovery of 3 Bodies in Philly Garage

A foul odor led to the discovery of three bodies inside a Philadelphia garage Tuesday, police said.

Residents in the Strawberry Mansion section of the city said they noticed a smell coming from an open garage along the 2600 block of W. Hagert Street around 10:45 a.m.

The garage, according to police, is owned by Powell Funeral Home, which is located at 2432 N. 27th Street.

"To see it was open was kind of [strange]," said Corey Cureton. "So I smelled it and noticed there were bodies in there."

Cureton called 911.

When officers arrived, they found three bodies inside the garage. Two of the bodies were in cardboard boxes while one was in a coffin, according to police. Someone from the funeral home told investigators that the victims were in their late 80's and picked up at two different nursing homes, according to a source.

Another funeral home came Tuesday afternoon to remove the body.

Residents told NBC10 the Powell Funeral Home has been closed for about a year. A sign at the funeral home says it's under reconstruction, but instructed people to call for services or information. Windows at the funeral home are missing and headstones are buried under weeds, according to police.

The owner of the home told police she was aware bodies were inside the garage, according to investigators. State records show the owner's license to be a funeral director is valid through next year.

However, the license the business needs to operate expired in 2012.

Residents also told NBC10 the owner of the funeral home is a pillar in the community.

"If you didn't have no money to pay that lady, that lady would do the best she could to set up something for you," said Anita Roberts.

No charges have been filed. Police continue to investigate.

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