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Phila. Man Charged With Abuse of Corpse After Body Found in Basement Freezer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A man wanted for questioning in connection with the discovery of his mother's body in a freezer in the family's home has turned himself in to police.

Investigators say William Carrasquillo, 58, turned himself in to East Detectives on Thursday.  He has been charged with abuse of corpse.

The discovery of the body was made Tuesday at a home in the 4500 block of Lee Street, in the city's Feltonville section. (See Related Story)

According to investigators, police were called to the home by a 911 call.

When they arrived, investigators say they found the nude body of an 83-year-old woman in a freezer that was in the basement of the home.  The body had reportedly been there since January.

Neighbors told Eyewitness News that strange behavior often surrounded the home. They watched the scene for hours not being able to recall the last time they saw the woman, or her son that lived with her.

Vanessa Festevole said all the neighbors had concerns. "There were a lot of noises coming out of that house. Especially the neighbors that were attached to that house say they would hear banging and the woman screaming."

But Monday night, the circumstances changed.

Tea Ramos, a family member, said that her daughter called her after speaking with her estranged husband.

Festevole translated for Ramos, "She said her daughter Cynthia received a phone call from William saying that he made a big mistake, that he did something really bad. The daughter questioned him and he said my mother fell and died instantly, so I put her in the freezer in the basement."

Investigators confirm that the body has been in the freezer since January and it is intact without odor.

So far, no charges have been filed.

The investigation is ongoing.

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