Winner of This Months DUH! Award

Seems that Minneapolis boarded up a supposedly abandoned house for non-paymet of taxes. Eight months later, the body of the owner was discoved inside. From the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Pirtle, who had been a sorter for American Linen Co., just hibernated in her upstairs bedroom. That's where she was found dead this summer, eight months after her house was boarded up.

It may never be clear whether the 79-year-old was alive or dead when the city shut up the tiny house at 3216 Garfield Av., the Hennepin County medical examiner said.

Pirtle's death went unnoticed for so long partly because of her own reclusiveness, but also because city inspectors aren't required to walk through buildings before boarding them up.

Although authorities initially said the contractor was expected to walk through the property before boarding it up in November, that wasn't part of the contract. The city official who manages such properties said the city is considering whether to change the policy.

"Somebody should have checked," Hastings said. "I'm still trying to deal with it."

Gee, ya think?
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