Pa. Man Allegedly Lived with Mom’s Body for Days, Then Gave Cops Peculiar Answer When They Came to House

A Bucks County man faces criminal charges after authorities discovered him living in a home with his mother’s severely decomposed remains for at least one week.

Derrick Bouffard, 37, was arrested following a welfare check at his Hunter Court residence on October 26, 2025. Officers arriving at the scene reported a pungent odor and an overgrown lawn, prompting an immediate investigation into the property’s condition.

A Gruesome Discovery

According to a police affidavit, Bouffard met officers at the door and claimed his mother, 70-year-old Cynthia Bouffard, had stopped breathing only that morning. However, investigators quickly debunked that timeline.

Inside the home, police found the elder Bouffard’s body on a first-floor mattress. The scene was described in graphic detail by responding officers:

• Advanced Decomposition: The remains were described as “skeleton-like,” with almost no flesh remaining.
• Attempted Concealment: Multiple fans were positioned throughout the house, and baking soda had been spread across surfaces to neutralize the scent of decay.
• Neglect of Property: Insects had reportedly infested the body and the surrounding area.

Investigative Findings

Autopsy results later confirmed that Cynthia Bouffard had likely been deceased for seven to 14 days prior to the police intervention. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was natural, noting that the victim—who suffered from advanced dementia and was non-verbal—did not show signs of starvation.

Digital forensics further complicated Bouffard’s “just about to call” defense. Investigators found search history on the defendant’s phone regarding how to report a death and when to notify banking institutions. Records also indicate that Bouffard continued to order food delivery to the residence, requiring him to pass his mother’s remains each time he collected a meal.

Legal Proceedings

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has charged Bouffard with abuse of a corpse. While he served as his mother’s primary caregiver, the charges currently focus on the treatment of her remains rather than the cause of her death.

Bouffard is currently scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 8, 2026. Authorities have not yet commented on whether additional charges will be filed as the investigation remains active.