Published: Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 11:32 p.m.
Family members of Eloise Wentz, whose body was found this week in a freezer at her deceased sons Monkey Junction home, believe she died almost five months ago.
Earl Wentz on Friday afternoon said investigators found a journal at the house of his brother, Alexander Wentz. An entry for March 21 included a time with the letters TOD next to it.
We believe that stands for time of death, said Earl Wentz, who with his sister, Sharon, was helping move items out of their mothers old home at 109 Kingston Road, just off Greenville Loop Road.
Eloise Wentz, 80, was found by New Hanover County Sheriffs deputies Wednesday evening in a locked chest freezer, partially hidden by furniture, in a back bedroom of the home at 206 Antoinette Drive.
Alexander Wentz, 54, was found dead in the homes living room Monday.
He is believed to have been dead for at least a week, and investigators said foul play isnt suspected in his death.
Friday the sheriffs office reported that preliminary results of an autopsy on Eloise Wentzs body also appeared to rule out foul play as a cause of her death.
Investigators began searching for Eloise Wentz following her son's death. That search eventually led deputies to the freezer.
Earl Wentz, a pastor with Cornerstone Ministries in Shallotte, said he believes his brother kept their mothers body in the house so her monthly payments from Social Security would continue.
He said investigators told him Alexander Wentz used checks pre-signed by his mother to access the money, which was direct-deposited into her bank account. But the checks ran out in July.
Sheriffs 1st Sgt. Timothy Fuss on Friday afternoon declined to comment on details provided by the family, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
