A Houston resident described being compelled to rent a hotel room after the decomposing body of a 68-year-old man emitted a foul odor that infiltrated his condominium unit.
Texas police state that the body would have gone unnoticed if not for Lekan, who reported the smell to authorities. The neighbor, who requested to be identified only as Lekan, said he noticed flies and an unpleasant odor when returning from work on Friday at the One Orleans Place condo community near Jeanetta Street in Houston.
“I saw flies by the door, and then I was wondering what’s there,” he said. “So I got closer. I could smell the stench.”
The odor continued through the weekend, forcing Lekan to contact his landlady, the condo association, and eventually call 911. Firefighters found the decomposing body of his neighbor after a search; police confirmed no signs of foul play.
Despite removing the body, Lekan reported that the odor persisted and began spreading throughout his unit.
“My food, my clothing,” he said. “And I’m sure the furniture. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with that.”
He was forced to rent a hotel room but stated he cannot afford the additional cost. The situation remains baffling as the units are not adjacent, and it is unclear how the odor reached his home. Lekan added: “My home means everything to me. My home is my sanctuary.” Houston Health Department workers later responded to the complaint, initiating a cleanup of the affected unit.
