A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities discovered he had been living with his wife’s decomposing remains for more than thirty days.
Michael Mikula, 68, of South Londonderry Township, was taken into custody following a police well-being check on April 14, an investigation sparked by concerned family members of 66-year-old Sharlene Mikula.
The Lebanon County District Attorney’s office confirmed that Mikula was aware of his wife’s death and had “taken measures to conceal her passing.”
When officers first arrived at the residence, Mikula allegedly claimed his wife was not at home. Once investigators were permitted inside, they discovered Sharlene Mikula in an advanced state of decomposition.
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Court documents reveal a troubling timeline leading up to the discovery. Mikula reportedly told detectives his wife had “been gone for a long time.”
He described her health declining in the weeks prior, noting a total loss of appetite, though he claimed he attempted to feed her daily.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Mikula told police she did not appear to be decomposing until approximately one week before the authorities arrived.
Family members informed investigators that Sharlene had struggled with significant mental health disorders, including a 51-day stay at a behavioral health center in May 2025. Hospital records highlighted a drastic decline in her physical condition, noting she had lost over 100 pounds within a single year.
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The discovery of the body coincided with a sheriff’s sale of the Mikula home. A neighbor reported that the new owner of the property noticed a foul odor emanating from the house on the same day the police arrived.
Michael Mikula has been charged with abuse of a corpse, neglecting the care of a dependent person, recklessly endangering another person, and tampering with evidence. He is currently being held at the Lebanon County Correctional Facility, with a preliminary hearing set for April 23.
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