The body of Michael S. Blankenship, a Marine Corps veteran, was discovered stuffed inside a closet at his mobile home in New Jersey, according to a grand jury indictment. He was buried Monday, July 28, 2025, with full military honors. (U.S. Army)
WASHINGTON — A 72-year-old Marine Corps veteran was buried Monday with full military honors after a cousin had hidden his body for months inside the veteran’s New Jersey mobile home to collect benefits under his name, authorities said.
New Jersey State Police in April discovered the body of Michael S. Blankenship, a Vietnam War-era veteran, wrapped in several layers of plastic and stuffed inside a bedroom closet at his mobile home at Evergreen Estates in Fairfield Township.
Blankenship died in 2024 from natural causes, according to a grand jury indictment filed last week in Cumberland County Superior Court in New Jersey.
But Steven Blankenship, a 58-year-old cousin of the veteran, is accused of hiding the body for several months to collect benefits and use a credit card under Michael Blankenship’s name, according to the indictment. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 18.
Michael Blankenship had served in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1970, according to his obituary. He had worked as a forklift operator prior to retiring in 2001 due to a disability.
Blankenship’s body was discovered by police summoned to his home to conduct a welfare check, according to police. His decomposing body was found inside a rear bedroom closet after police detected a foul smell. A doorknob had been removed from the closet door and the door frame was sealed with electrical tape, police said.
The Marine veteran had resided at his mobile home for 40 years, according to his obituary.
Steven Blankenship faces charges of desecrating human remains, tampering with evidence, theft by deception and fraudulent use of a credit card, according to the indictment. He is accused of receiving nearly $14,000 in benefits and using Michael’s personal credit card to cover his own expenses, according to a police report.
Police said they found a handwritten note by Steven Blankenship inside the mobile home admitting he devised a plan to conceal his cousin’s death for his own financial benefit. Police said he also continued to pay bills under the Marine veteran’s name to avoid detection.
A graveside service with full military honors was held at Centerton Free Will Baptist Cemetery in Pittsgrove, N.J. Blankenship was buried next to his mother, according to the obituary.
