Man admits to hiding cousin’s physique in closet for over 8 months to gather advantages

A con man reportedly stuffed the physique of his navy veteran cousin inside the previous soldier’s cell residence closet and lived there with the physique for over eight months to gather his advantages.

Steven M. Blankenship, 59, pleaded responsible to hiding the physique of his useless kin, US Marine Michael S. Blankenship, 72, after which amassing his state advantages – all whereas residing in his trailer in Fairfield Township, NJ.com reported.

Steven, who acted as his older cousin’s caretaker, admitted throughout an Oct. 9 listening to that he hid Michael’s dying from officers in order that the useless man’s advantages and checks would nonetheless roll in for his personal taking, the outlet reported.

He’s accused of scamming the state of 1000’s of {dollars}.

Authorities uncovered the rip-off after discovering the Marine’s physique whereas responding to a wellness test at his cell residence at Evergreen Estates in April 2025, court docket paperwork present.

New Jersey State Police stated they seen a odor “consistent with decomposition” whereas knocking on Michael’s door, in keeping with the docs.

The veteran’s physique was discovered quickly after officers entered the home and adopted the stench of dying.

Troopers found Michael’s corpse wrapped in three layers of plastic in a bed room closet, which had been sealed by duct tape on a door with out a knob, the data stated.

The officers additionally found a telling word — they consider was written by Steven — contained in the trailer residence.

The word revealed that Michael had died from “dementia-related causes” months prior on July 27, 2024, and that its writer had been utilizing the useless man’s bank card and revenue to make purchases as a result of his personal decline in well being, cops stated.

A grand jury indicted Steven on theft and desecrating human stays costs in July 2025.

The crummy cousin initially rejected a plea deal that will have despatched him to jail for 12 years earlier than his current responsible plea, in alternate for a 10-year sentence.

Steven can also be required to pay $15,000 in restitution to the New Jersey Department of Labor.

He is due again in court docket for a sentencing on Dec. 11.

Michael, who was discharged from navy service in 1970, was lastly buried with full navy honors in 2025.