Or were they pure scammers, always intending to "legally" squat there until the system finally catches up with them?

My number is for big ticket capital expenditures... not repairs & maintenance costs such as paint, toilet repairs, etc.

Included in my cost is new bath soap, deodorant soap, dish soap, hand soap, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, and occasionally bath towels and bed sheets.

The brother who is in jail signed a lease agreement with his ex and she is now squatting in the property. 

You have to value your time - if you have the time to fix them up, then the deal is solid...if you don't have time to swing a hammer, slop some paint on, or replace a toilet, then you're better off going retail.One frustrating thing is there are many folks these days that are buying some of these run down homes  then attempting to rent them out or seller finance them on the condition that you make the repairs. 

She alluded to the other roommates that she intends to squat.

BUT toilets are cleaned everyday and the crime scene would not be much worse than that.HIV would not be the major concern because it is not stable on surfaces.  

The house has been winterized by HUD so the well, toilets, septic, electric, etc. aren't on and the lines are presumably filled with an antifreeze of some sort.

Mold, stuffed toilets, laminate and carpets were destroyed.

Heated toilet seats with bidet.