Hoarder found dead under debris after floor collapses

Building officials in Connecticut are determining whether to tear down the home of an apparent hoarder who was found dead under a pile of debris after the first floor collapsed.

The chief medical examiner’s office, meanwhile, is trying to confirm the cause of death of 66-year-old Beverly Mitchell, whose body was found Saturday as crews were removing debris from her home in Cheshire. Police say she may have been dead for more than a week.

Cheshire Building Official Burt Schiaroli told the New Haven Register that he’s assessing the structural integrity of the 114-year-old home and whether it needs to be torn down.

Police say debris was piled to the ceiling in some places. Officers went to the home Thursday after a postal carrier reported mail was piling up.

This story was originally published June 17, 2014 at 8:28 AM with the headline "Hoarder found dead under debris after floor collapses."