A grieving mother in Virginia is suing a funeral home for $5 million, claiming her son’s body was left in a horrifying state—covered in maggots—at his funeral viewing, turning what should have been a moment of closure into a traumatic nightmare.
Tabitha Worrell filed the lawsuit against Snelling Funeral Home in Chesapeake and its parent company, Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home in Norfolk, alleging negligence and breach of contract following the death of her 24-year-old son, Torreon Williams, in a car accident on May 2, 2022.
According to the lawsuit, first reported by NBC affiliate WAVY, the family paid a $3,000 deposit for funeral services. One week later, when family and friends gathered for a viewing, they were met with a disturbing scene.
“As mourners approached the body of Torreon Williams, they noticed his face, nose, and mouth were covered with and consumed by clumps of maggots,” the lawsuit states.
The complaint alleges that the maggots appeared to have been on the body for “a significant period of time and had been purposely ignored” by funeral home staff. The insects had reportedly burrowed into new holes in Williams’ cheeks and mouth that were not present before.
Worrell’s legal team argues that the funeral home failed to properly embalm and store the body in a sealed refrigerator, leaving it exposed to conditions that allowed flies and maggots to infest the remains.
In a shocking moment during the viewing, a funeral home employee allegedly told Worrell, “Don’t you make a scene,” while another reportedly remarked, “The flies got to him.”
Attorney Kevin Sharp, representing Worrell, described the scene as “a grotesque freak show,” telling WAVY: “Maggots were pouring out of this young man’s nose, in his mouth, and on his face. And then to tell a mother not to react — as if she was the problem — it’s inexcusable.”
Since the traumatic experience, Worrell has reportedly suffered from severe emotional distress, including anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and sleeplessness, requiring ongoing psychological treatment.
The lawsuit claims the funeral home failed in its most basic obligations to the family: to preserve the dignity of the deceased and provide a respectful and sanitary farewell.
Casey Jones, CEO of the funeral homes, issued a brief statement in response to the suit:
“The unexpected passing of Torreon Williams is tragic, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family. However, because the events following his death are the subject of ongoing litigation, we do not believe it is appropriate to comment publicly at this time.”
The case highlights growing scrutiny over standards in the funeral industry, particularly regarding the proper care and handling of bodies awaiting services.
