A Virginia mother has filed a lawsuit against a funeral home after her son’s body was allegedly found covered in maggots at his funeral viewing, a shocking and distressing discovery that has prompted her to demand $5 million in damages for breach of contract and negligence.
Tabitha Worrell, the grieving mother, claims that when she and other family members approached her son’s casket at the Snelling Funeral Home in Chesapeake, they were horrified to see his face, nose, and mouth “covered with and consumed by clumps of maggots.”
The Tragic Discovery at the Funeral Home
Worrell’s son, Torreon Williams, tragically passed away at the age of 24 on May 2, 2022, following a car accident. The family paid $3,000 for funeral arrangements at Snelling Funeral Home, expecting a respectful and dignified farewell.
However, when the family arrived for the viewing a week later, they were met with a disturbing and grotesque sight. The lawsuit states that the maggots appeared to have been on the body for a “significant period of time” and were “purposely ignored” by the funeral home staff.
The maggots were reportedly burrowed into Williams’ cheek and mouth, areas that had not been affected previously. This horrifying sight left the family in shock, as they realized that the body had not been adequately preserved for the funeral.
Worrell’s attorneys claim that the funeral home failed to properly store the body, possibly not using a sealed refrigerator, which led to the exposure to flies and maggots.
Funeral Home’s Response to the Incident
As the incident unfolded, Worrell alleges that an employee placed a hand on her shoulder and instructed her, “don’t you make a scene,” while another staff member allegedly blamed the situation on flies.
The staff’s apparent lack of empathy and disregard for the distress caused by the situation has been a source of outrage for Worrell and her legal team.
Worrell’s attorneys argue that the funeral home failed in its duty to preserve and prepare Williams’ body for the viewing, a service for which the family paid a significant amount of money. According to the lawsuit, the failure to properly store and inspect the body resulted in the horrific condition in which it was found.
Emotional and Psychological Impact on Worrell
The traumatic experience has taken a severe emotional toll on Worrell. Since the incident, she has reportedly suffered from anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and sleeplessness, leading her to seek psychological treatment.
Her attorney, Kevin Sharp, described the incident as a “grotesque freak show,” highlighting the shock and emotional harm Worrell endured upon seeing her son’s body in such a disturbing state.
Sharp also criticized the staff’s response, saying they seemed more concerned with avoiding blame than addressing the horrific situation. “They almost seemed to say, ‘You don’t overreact here. You’re the one to blame,’ not what they had done to her son,” Sharp said.
Funeral Home’s Public Statement
In response to the lawsuit, Casey Jones, CEO of Snelling Funeral Home and Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, released a statement to local news outlet WAVY. While expressing condolences for the family’s loss, Jones declined to provide further comment due to the ongoing litigation.
“The unexpected passing of Torreon Williams is tragic, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family. However, because the events following his death are the subject of ongoing litigation, we do not believe it is appropriate to comment publicly at this time,” Jones said.
The disturbing and tragic events surrounding Torreon Williams’ funeral viewing have led to a lawsuit that seeks both justice for his family and accountability for the funeral home’s negligence.
As the case progresses, the Worrell family continues to fight for justice, determined to ensure that such a traumatic experience never happens to another family.
