Police: Baldwin Man Buried Mom In Backyard

State police and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the discovery of a woman’s body buried on her son’s property in Baldwin Sunday.

Investigators do not suspect foul play, but autopsy results are pending additional testing by the state medical examiner’s office, said Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.

The woman has been identified as Carolyn Farnell, 72, who was living with her son, Shawn Farnell, 43, at a home on Harris Road, McCausland said.

Police say the woman had been in failing health and likely died last week. Detectives believe she was buried by her son.

Family members have told detectives that the woman did not want to go to the hospital and wanted to be buried on the property, McCausland said.

Investigators worked for about seven hours Sunday to exhume the remains and say they have not located any death certificate or permit to bury the body, which is required by state law.

No charges have been filed. The case will likely be reviewed by the district attorney’s office once the investigation has been completed and the autopsy results are finalized.