California Woman drove around with body of dead friend in car for TEN months

A woman drove around for 10 months with the body of her dead friend concealed in her car.

As the flesh started to decompose she scattered baking soda in the vehicle to try to cover up the smell.

By the time the police discovered the dead body it was partially mummified and consisted of just skin and bones. It weighed just 30lb.
 
The bizarre saga started when the woman befriended a homeless woman in Fountain Valley, Califoia, and let her sleep in the car.

The 57-year-old driver, from nearby Costa Mesa, says she did not know what to do when her friend died suddenly in December last year.

Sergeant Ed Everett, of Costa Mesa police, said: 'She felt she would be accused of something and with everything going on in her life she did not want to deal with that.'

The driver had fallen on hard times herself and was living with friends.

All that is known about the dead woman is that her first name was Signe and she was in her 50s or 60s.

Her remains were found after police were called when the car was reported for blocking a driveway. Officers also discovered a box of baking soda.

A post mortem examination showed no signs of foul play but the driver is still being questioned.