A shocking incident in Clayton, Missouri, has left a community disturbed after a man was arrested for allegedly living with his roommate’s dead body for over a month. The body was discovered during a wellness check requested by concerned family members and the apartment’s property management.
Wellness Check Reveals Disturbing Scene
Police were called to an apartment complex to check on the welfare of 47-year-old Lawanda McGhee, who hadn’t been seen or heard from since mid-December 2025. When officers entered the apartment, they found McGhee’s body lying on the couch, covered with blankets and clothing. Authorities said the body was cold to the touch and showed clear signs of decomposition.
Roommate Arrested After Returning to Apartment
At the time of the discovery, McGhee’s roommate, 49-year-old Terrance Smith, was not present. However, on February 2, the apartment’s management informed police that Smith had returned. Officers responded quickly and took him into custody without any resistance.
Smith has since been charged with abandonment of a corpse, a serious offense under Missouri law. He is currently being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond, and his preliminary hearing is set for March 4.
Family Left Grieving and Confused
McGhee’s family is heartbroken and searching for answers. Her sister, Ashley Barnett, told reporters, “He left her body for 38 days decomposing. He covered her and tried to hide it.” McGhee leaves behind a 13-year-old daughter and had recently finished nursing school, a milestone she was proud of.
The relationship between McGhee and Smith was reportedly complicated. While she had introduced him as her boyfriend in the past, they had later agreed to live as roommates after their romantic relationship didn’t work out.
No Cause of Death Yet Confirmed
As of now, the cause of McGhee’s death has not been made public. Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine how she died. The investigation remains active, and police are working to gather more details about what happened inside the apartment during those 38 days.
