'We saw the deceased's head sticking out from under a pile of clothes,' police say

FOREST CITY, N.C. (WLOS) — A Forest City, North Carolina woman is in jail after being accused of hiding the body of an 82-year-old man in her apartment.

The Forest City Police Department received a call on May 16 regarding a possible dead body in a home at Manor Apartments on South Church Street.

Detective Chris Hopper said, following the phone call, officers headed out for a walk and talk at the apartment complex.

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Hopper said, at the first knock, the resident was not forthcoming with information.

That resident was 62-year-old June Brown, who is being charged with concealing a dead body.

Brown let officers into the apartment, and Hopper said they immediately found a body.

“When we went in, we saw the person, the deceased's head sticking out from under a pile of clothes,” Hopper said.

That body was identified as 82-year-old Karl Buehner.

Hopper said Brown and Buehner were acquaintances and had just recently formed a relationship.

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Although the investigation is ongoing, Hopper said they suspect Buehner died from an overdose and Brown opted to not call the authorities.

Hopper said, according to the medical examiner, they believe Buehner's body had been there since the night before until police arrived about 5 p.m. the next day.

Brown was arrested on May 31 and is being charged with concealment of a dead body and is being held under a $200,000 bond at the Burke County Jail. Hopper said more charges could be forthcoming, following the results of the autopsy.