Man lived with deceased wife in RV for 6 years, sheriff’s office says

COLUMBIANA COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - After a man from Ohio died several days before the new year, deputies said they discovered he had been living with his deceased wife in an RV for the past six years.

According to the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, a relative came to the department on Jan. 1 to report that Peggy Rea, who had passed away in 2017, was inside an RV located on the family’s farm.

The family member said Peggy Rea’s husband, Robert Rea, had been living in the RV with his wife’s body up until his passing a few days prior.

Deputies responded to the residence located at 34718 Salem Grange Road in Salem Township, where they found Peggy Rea’s body in an RV behind a barn.

Robert Rea had failed to report her passing, according to the family member, and took care of her remains himself for six years leading up to his death.

The sheriff’s office said they discovered both Peggy Rea and Robert Rea were devout Quakers and wanted to be buried at the same time.

The coroner’s office responded to the residence where the remains were confirmed to be six years old.

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