NJ man pleads not guilty to hiding cousin’s body in closet
A New Jersey man accused of having hidden the corpse of his cousin in a closet for eight months while collecting his performances pleaded not guilty on Monday during his indictment.
Steven Blankenship, 58, from the canton of Fairfield, is said to have wrapped the body of Michael Blankenship, 72, in three layers of plastic before hiding it in a rear chamber cupboard in a trailer where the two men lived in the summer of 2024, the investigators said.
He was charged in July 2025 for accusations such as desecration of human remains, theft and fraud by credit card, after the discovery of Michael Blankenship’s body, NJ Advance Media reported.
Michael Blankenship was a veteran of the Marine Corps who served during the Vietnam War and was honorably released in 1970, according to an online Blower. He died following a brief illness last year, but his body was only discovered until April 2025, after the Troopers of the State of New Jersey were said to Evergreen Estates, formerly Tips Trailer Park, for a well-being check.
Although no one answered the door, officials noticed a strong odor “in accordance with decomposition”, according to court documents examined by NJ.com.
After crossing the door, the soldiers found the body in a chamber cupboard, which had been sealed with electric tape and had its door handle, said officials.
In a note that would be written by Steven Blankenship, he described by leaving the corpse of his cousin on the ground for two days before hiding it in the closet.
The prosecutors say that he hid the body to continue to receive the advantages of the work of the work of work. He is also accused of using the Dead Man credit card to make several purchases and get money. Meanwhile, he stole nearly $ 14,000 in the state, officials said.
Steven Blankenship, who remains imprisoned while waiting for the trial, must return to court on October 17.
Michael Blankship was buried with complete military honors in July, about a year after his death, his task and his goal reported.
