Man terrified of becoming homeless, allegedly kept grandmother's body in garbage bags for 5 months

RIDGEWOOD, New York -- A Queens man, terrified that his 85-year-old grandmother's death would leave him homeless, kept her decomposing body wrapped in at least 10 garbage bags for almost half a year, until a concerned relative led police to the horrifying discovery, a law enforcement source said.

The woman, identified as Erika Kraus-Breslin, died in May, according to a law enforcement source.

Her grandson, 30-year-old Christopher Fuhrer was arrested after months of trying to cover up her death, putting air freshener in a fan to minimize the smell, which began the day after she died, the police source said.

On Wednesday, October 5th, officers were sent to her home on 65th Street near 68th Avenue by a concerned family member who called police, NYPD said.

When they arrived, police were met by Fuhrer, who directed them to a bedroom where Kraus-Breslin's wrapped corpse was lying on the floor.

Fuhrer faces a charge each of not reporting death to a health officer, burial/body removal without permit, and improper burial, police said.

The medical examiner will determine Kraus-Breslin's cause of death.