Cat Woman’s Home Brings Gruesome Find

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- On Thursday, Albuquerque authorities discovered a gruesome scene when they went into a Northeast city home.

The 56-year-old woman who lived in the home was found dead on the floor.

What’s more disturbing, however, was the finding of over 30 cats, living in dire conditions, throughout the home.

Action 7 News’ Natalie Swaby walked through the home and reported what investigators found.

There was a foot of filth and feces in every room. Sinks were overflowing and litter boxes were unable to be located.

Deputy City Attorney Pete Dinelli said the condition of the home was horrible.

“This is probably the most tragic case that I have seen in the four years that I have been doing this,” said Dinelli.

According to investigators, the woman who lived in the home owned all 33 Burmese cats and four dogs.

Police said her body was found in the back room.

“We suspect that she may have been dead for four to five days, and was in a severe state of decomposition, and as a result you had a situation involving the animals that probably had access to her,” said Dinelli.

According to Dinelli, dental records were needed in order to identify the body.

Authorities said she showed off the expensive animals in cat shows.

Many that were taken to an animal shelter on Thursday, however, were sick. At least nine cats, along with one dog, are pregnant. Neighbors had no idea all the animals lived in the house, which has been declared a hazard area.

"I am a bit surprised, I had seen cats in her yard, but I didn't know if they were hers or what,” said neighbor Terri Gale. “There were always cats in my yard, but I didn't know whose they were.”

Swaby reported that neighbors did not know about the conditions inside the home.

“There is spoiling food, there is trash, and again the circumstances surrounding this poor women's death is very disheartening,” said Dinelli.

Authorities believe the woman died of natural causes, but they are still waiting on test results.

Her brother and city officials will have an emergency court hearing on Friday to decide what should happen to her property and the animals.