Monday, November 30, 2009

YEAR OF THE HOARDER


Tamara Lush

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For years, no one on Crest Drive paid much attention to the little white house with pink trim.

The front yard was overgrown with shrubs and three cars sat motionless in the driveway.

Neighbors on the quiet street knew the owner, a retired psychologist named Carina DeOcampo, was an odd, private person – even her family would leave bags of food on the front steps, then quickly drive away.

But folks here were shocked in early October when police forced their way into the home and discovered the 72-year-old DeOcampo dead, surrounded by six feet of garbage that packed the house.

DeOcampo was a hoarder.

“She had trails throughout the house, from her chair to the kitchen to her bedroom,” said neighbor David Collins, who peered in the front door after DeOcampo’s body was removed. “It was unbelievable.”,,," More