A Colorado husband and wife are behind bars after authorities say they hid the corpse of their former roommate and threesome partner for roughly 18 months so they could continue collecting his Social Security income.
James David Agnew, 55, and Suzanne Ruth Agnew, 57, were arrested and charged with tampering with a deceased human body and abuse of a corpse, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.
James Agnew faces additional charges of theft over $2,000, unauthorized use of a financial transaction device over $2,000, and two counts of introducing contraband into a correctional facility. Suzanne Agnew is charged with theft between $5,000 and $20,000 and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device in the same amount range.
Missing Person Inquiry Leads to Gruesome Discovery
The investigation began in late June when the brother of James O’Neill, 62, contacted Lakewood police for a welfare check. He said the family hadn’t seen O’Neill since 2019 or spoken to him since 2021.
When officers arrived at the Agnews’ apartment on South Ammons Street, a man claiming to be “James” spoke with them. Police later determined the man was James Agnew, who appeared to imply he was O’Neill. When shown body camera footage, O’Neill’s brother confirmed it was not his sibling.
Follow-up visits to the home yielded conflicting stories from the Agnews, who eventually claimed O’Neill had moved out years earlier to be with “a foreign woman online.”
Days later, the brother called the couple about an “inheritance” deposit for O’Neill. The Agnews claimed O’Neill was back in the house but refused to let him speak, while providing his bank and Social Security numbers. When told O’Neill needed to be present for the deposit, they cut off communication.
Financial Activity Raises Red Flags
Using the information provided, the brother checked O’Neill’s account and found regular $967 monthly Social Security deposits, an overdraft of about $200, and numerous ATM withdrawals.
Police obtained surveillance footage from a 7-Eleven showing James Agnew using O’Neill’s debit card during several transactions.
Confession and Search Warrant
In early July, police arrested James Agnew on an unrelated warrant. When detectives called Suzanne Agnew with a search warrant, she allegedly admitted immediately that O’Neill’s body was in the residence.
Detectives found a deceased male believed to be O’Neill inside the apartment. Suzanne told investigators she, her husband, and O’Neill had been in a “three-way relationship” for years. She said O’Neill died in December 2023, likely from a medical condition or drug use, and admitted she refused to report his death because she knew it was wrong but also acknowledged the Social Security payments were a factor.
She said she covered the body with a deflated air mattress to prevent the couple’s chihuahuas from “chewing” on him.
18 Months of Stolen Benefits
Police allege the Agnews withdrew roughly $17,406 in Social Security benefits from O’Neill’s account over the 18 months after his death.
James Agnew admitted to using the debit card and said he had always known the PIN. While he initially gave no reason for failing to report O’Neill’s death, he later told police the SSI income “was definitely a consideration.”
The couple is being held as the investigation continues.
