HT News

September 22, 2009

Elderly woman and son found dead in Hazleton

Ruling out foul play, coroner says mom had health issues, son severely handicapped.

HAZLETON – An elderly woman with significant health problems and her severely handicapped son were found dead in their ranch-style home on Sunday, the county coroner confirmed on Monday.

The bodies of the woman, who neighbors said was in her 70s, and her son, who they said was in his late 20s, were found by police after they forced open a door to the home in Birch Knoll Estates on the city’s southern side, county Coroner John Corcoran said.

He declined to release their names because family members haven’t yet been contacted, but neighbors confirmed that the woman’s name was Noreen and her son was Brian, though they didn’t know a last name. The home, 7 Newport Drive, is owned by Noreen L. Devigili, according to county assessment records.

The specifics of how they died are unclear, but Corcoran said no “foul play” was involved. It’s believed she died first, he said. “She had very bad health, and the son was severely handicapped,” he said, adding that she was his exclusive caretaker.

Corcoran acknowledged the son has “severe Down syndrome with other problems,” and conveyed his own anguish over what he called a tragedy. “My heart’s broken,” he said, explaining that he has a relative with Down syndrome.

The situation came to light after the neighboring Cannon family became concerned that they hadn’t been able to contact the woman in a week, according to Mark Horn, another neighbor. The police were called to investigate.

Little is known about the mother and son, who generally kept to themselves, Horn said. The Cannons often offered to pick up items at the store for the woman, who required oxygen, Horn said.

He added that the woman and her son had lived at the house for at least the seven years his family has lived across the street. He has helped carry in groceries for her, he said, and last spoke with her in December when he shoveled her driveway. He said she was a “very nice, friendly person.”

The son, he said, was severely handicapped and required assistance to move around, which is why, Horn surmised, the son hadn’t been able to seek help after his mother died.

“He couldn’t have functioned like that,” Horn said. “I talked to Noreen mostly, and Brian was kind of quiet.”

Corcoran said finding relatives has been difficult, but officials hope to meet with one today to attempt to better determine how the pair died, particularly the son. “We’re learning more and more about him,” Corcoran said.

He also added that if relatives can’t be found, the county will foot the bill for the pair’s funerals.

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.

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