Michelle Feudi, 55, allegedly found her adult son dead in his bedroom and rather than calling authorities immediately, she carried the body to the front porch of their Toledo, Ohio home and spent hours with it there before finally contacting emergency services more than 15 hours later, according to police.
Background
Feudi's son was discovered deceased in his bedroom on Saturday around 2 p.m., according to an affidavit obtained by Law&Crime. The 23-year-old man's death occurred at the family's residence in Toledo. Instead of immediately notifying law enforcement or emergency responders, Feudi allegedly made a series of decisions that would later form the basis of criminal charges against her. According to police accounts, she went to wake her son on Saturday afternoon and found him unresponsive. When she attempted to rouse him, she observed that he was "cold to the touch" and had no pulse. Upon rolling him over, Feudi told investigators that blood came from his mouth.
The Investigation
Rather than calling 911 at that moment, police said Feudi allegedly carried her son's body from the bedroom to the enclosed front porch of their home. She then allegedly sat with the deceased man on the front porch for several hours before eventually contacting authorities. According to law enforcement officials, Feudi called 911 on Sunday after 5 a.m.—approximately 15 hours after discovering her son dead in his bedroom.
When first responders arrived at the residence, Feudi provided them with an account of the circumstances surrounding her son's death. Police did not release a cause of death for the young man, and the investigation into how he died remains ongoing. The Lucas County Coroner's Office has likely been involved in examining the body to determine the precise cause and manner of death.
Feudi was arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse, a charge that stems from her alleged handling of her son's body after his death. She was booked into the Lucas County Corrections Center on Sunday and appeared before a judge on Monday. Following her court appearance, Feudi was released on her own recognizance—a decision that allows her to remain free pending further proceedings without requiring monetary bail.
Key Takeaways
- Michelle Feudi, 55, was charged with abuse of a corpse in Toledo, Ohio
- She allegedly discovered her 23-year-old son dead around 2 p.m. Saturday but didn't call 911 until after 5 a.m. Sunday—more than 15 hours later
- Police say she carried the body to the front porch and spent hours there with it before reporting the death
- Feudi was released on her own recognizance following her Monday court appearance
- A cause of death has not been released, and the investigation into how the son died continues
What's Next
Feudi is scheduled to appear in Toledo Municipal Court on July 16 for further proceedings related to the abuse of a corpse charge. Meanwhile, investigators continue their work to determine what caused the death of her 23-year-old son. The Lucas County Coroner's Office has not yet released autopsy findings or a cause of death determination. Defense attorneys have not publicly commented on the case, and it remains unclear whether Feudi will pursue any defense related to her son's medical condition or circumstances surrounding his death.
The investigation is being handled by Toledo police, with charges filed through the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office. As proceedings unfold, more details are expected to emerge regarding both the circumstances of the young man's death and the events that led authorities to file abuse of a corpse charge against his mother.