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Police in Oakland, California are investigating how Eunice Workman died and why it took so long to discover her remains. The 76 year-old woman was reported missing by her family nearly seven years ago and the case has remained unsolved. In an odd twist, her daughters found her body when they were cleaning out the woman’s two story home on Wednesday evening, March 25, 2009.

Workman’s family members reportedly discovered her body amid some rubble in an upstairs bedroom, while getting the home cleaned up to sell. The human remains were described as a fully clothed skeleton. An autopsy has been scheduled by the Alameda County coroner in order to determine the cause of death.

There is speculation that debris may have fallen on Eunice and trapped her. The residence, on the 700 block of 47th Street, is described as filled from floor to ceiling with hoarded belongings, and has remained virtually untouched for seven years.

Police and the Health Department received numerous calls from neighbors reporting the condition of the property as well as a strong order shortly after the woman went missing. Those calls were noted in an Oakland law enforcement database, as were reports that squatters had moved in, though apparently no action was taken by police to investigate any of the complaints.

See outside view of home below.