Mother-daughter duo cash welfare checks for years after killing 77-year-old grandmother and storing her body at home
Law enforcement authorities in Arizona have reported the arrest of a mother and daughter on Tuesday after they allegedly killed the family's 77-year-old grandmother and continued to cash monthly checks in her name for two years.
Police officers were conducting a welfare check at Sandra Aven's residence in Prescott after a concerned neighbor reported on Tuesday morning that he hadn't seen the 77-year-old woman in a long time and was worried about her. On their arrival, officers took 46-year-old Tara Aven and 24-year-old Briar Aven into custody from the home, according to a Fox News report.
Before the duo was arrested, Briar, who lived next door to her mother and grandmother, told police that Sandra was "out of town and unavailable." Discovering numerous inconsistencies in both the women's stories, officers entered the home and were shocked to find the body of a deceased person inside. The body, believed to be that of Sandra, is yet to be positively identified and the cause of death is yet to be established, according to the Arizona Republic.
The mother and daughter duo later confessed to killing the grandmother in late 2017 while being interrogated by authorities. They further admitted to cashing a series of monthly payment checks in her name since her death, according to KNXV-TV of Phoenix.
The two women have now been booked on suspicion of fraud schemes and evidence tampering and are currently remanded in custody at the Yavapai County Jail. Furthermore, Tara is also accused of first-degree murder. Previously, police said the case was being investigated as a homicide and the women are considered suspects.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Hanna with the Prescott Police Department at 928-777-1961.