Single tenant found “passed away” in her apartment

[Julie Dillon]

So the police want to keep the apartment untouched until after they get the results of the autopsy from my deceased single tenant. After googling how long autopsy results take that could be 4 plus weeks. Can they do that? They said they had concerns about how she was when she was found. This is a 4 unit apartment building in Minnesota My tenant was on assistance and was on a lot of prescription drugs. She was found during a welfare check since her caretaker wasn’t able to contact her and hadn’t heard from her in a couple weeks. When found she was in a chair and had been deceased “for a quite a while”. Can I say no to the police? Can’t they take pictures or do what they have to do? How do I get back possession of the property? She had 2 daughters that she rarely spoke to and hadn’t seen in a very long time. I spoke with one and they have asked to go thru her stuff.

[Steve Vaughan]

If by assistance you mean HUD, you will most likely get their Feb portion. Plus you have the deposit. An insurance deductible will be as much as a month of rent anyway, most likely.

I've never had a tenant die, but did have a 90 year old removed to an old folks home. It took next of kin a couple weeks to clear out her stuff, then another couple to turn it. You'll survive.

I wouldn't let the 1 daughter in to cherry-pick her stuff though.  Both of them, with the advocate, or be ready for serious drama later. Good luck