New York Woman Accused of Stashing Boyfriend’s Body in Recycling Bin for Months While Collecting His Social Security Benefits
Wendy Stone and her son can be seen on surveillance video shopping at a Walmart, where she allegedly used her deceased boyfriend’s debit card to make the purchases, officials said.
Aug. 17 2024, Published 2:03 p.m. ET
A woman in New York has been arrested after she allegedly hid her live-in boyfriend’s body for months in a recycling bin in the basement of their home — occasionally pouring bleach on the remains to hide the foul odor — while stealing thousands of dollars from his Social Security benefits, according to authorities.
A federal complaint from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of New York shows the alleged series of events started even before Kenneth Crisman died, as he requested a replacement debit card for his benefits.
The replacement card arrived at Crisman’s house four days before his death, the complaint shows.
Crisman’s girlfriend, 63-year-old Wendy Stone, and her son found Crisman’s body inside his home a few days after his death, the son later told police.
Stone knew Crisman was receiving Social Security benefits, so she allegedly decided not to tell anyone about his death and continue collecting the benefits, according to the complaint.
Stone is accused of wrapping his body in plastic and tape, placing it in a recycling bin and stashing it in the basement of the couple's Rochester home, according to court documents.
The complaint also claims Stone would periodically pour bleach on the body between January and September 2023 to mask the foul odor of the remains.
Authorities said Crisman died on Dec. 28, 2022, but his debit card was activated with a new PIN on Jan. 6, 2023. The first charges to the new debit card took place the following day.
By Jan. 15, 2023, the funds were depleted from charges at Walmart, The Home Depot, Staples, a restaurant and ATM withdrawals, the complaint states.
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On Aug. 10, 2023, surveillance video allegedly captured Stone and her son shopping at a Walmart in Greece, and Stone was also seen in a security photo taken by an ATM making withdrawals of $400 and $300 on June 6, 2023, according to court documents.
The debit card was also used to open a Rent-A-Center account on March 7, 2023, for $1,815.05. Between January and September 2023, Stone collected $7,902 of Crisman’s benefits, according to police.
On Jan. 3, 2024, Stone’s own benefits were up for redetermination for continuing eligibility by the Social Security Administration. She allegedly falsely reported that since December 2021, no one had moved in or out of her residence, including births or deaths, and no one had helped pay her bills or rent since December 2021, the complaint shows.
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By using Crisman’s benefits, Stone was rendered ineligible to receive her own benefits from Dec. 28, 2022, through September 2023, officials said.
On Aug. 12, 2024, Stone was arrested and charged with theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft, and making a false statement to obtain Social Security benefits.
If convicted, Stone faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She is not facing any charges related to Crisman’s death.
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