For four years, no one knew. A body concealed in an attic, escaping the eyes of family, neighbors, and even administrative authorities, has finally come to light. The so-called “mummified body” case discovered in the attic of a private home in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, is once again set to shock viewers.
On February 20, 2013, a body was found in the attic of a house in Cheongju, wrapped layer upon layer in kimchi-making plastic sheets, an electric heating mat, and blankets. The corpse had gone beyond decomposition and turned into a mummified state, with traces of violence at the time of death still clearly visible, leaving investigators in disbelief. What made the case even more shocking was that the body had been hidden inside the family home for as long as four years.
The case began unexpectedly during a routine welfare inspection for disability benefit recipients conducted by the local community center. The official had visited the house several times but never once encountered the male recipient, which raised suspicions and led to a report to the police. When officers arrived, they met the wife, who was raising three children on her own while working at a factory. She claimed, “My husband went to a nursing home.” However, detectives sensed an unsettling undertone behind her explanation.
After closely observing the house and its surroundings, the detective eventually identified a decisive clue. That trail led to the attic, where they were confronted with a horrifying scene that confirmed their suspicions.
Lee Ji-hye commented, “It is hard to believe that something so horrific could remain hidden for four years. If it were not for the detective’s persistence, this case might have been buried forever.” Ahn Hyun-mo added, “Finding a mummified body like something out of a foreign crime documentary, right here in Korea, is shocking in itself. It feels as though the victim’s injustice remained imprinted on the body and ultimately led to the arrest of the perpetrator.”
The broadcast features Yeon Myung-gwan, former head of the Violent Crimes Unit at Cheongju Heungdeok Police Station, who led the original investigation. He vividly recounts the tense moments leading up to the discovery of the mummified body and the arrest of the suspect. Psychiatrist Lee Gwang-min also appears to provide an in-depth psychological analysis of how a person could live alongside a corpse for four years.
A gruesome secret hidden in the attic of an ordinary home, and the cruel truth concealed behind the words, “I will take care of everything.” The full story of the Cheongju attic mummy case will be revealed on January 13 at 10:30 p.m. on KBS2’s “Smoking Gun.”
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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