Feds: Rochester woman hid boyfriend’s body for months so she could collect his benefits

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Rochester woman, 63, is accused of failing to report her boyfriend’s death and stuffing his body in a recycling tote so she could collect his benefits.

Wendy Stone, 63, is charged with theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft, and making a false statement to obtain Social Security benefits.

Stone’s boyfriend, Kenneth Crisman, died in December of 2022. Federal investigators say Stone moved her boyfriend’s body to the basement of the Bryan Street home they shared. According to investigators, Stone wrapped Crisman’s body and placed it into a plastic recycling tote, pouring bleach on the body to prevent the smell.

Before his death, Crisman requested a replacement debit card for his benefits. According to investigators, nearly $8,000 of benefits intended for Crisman were put into his account between January and September of 2023, but Stone depleted them.

The Social Security Administration and Rochester Police Department led the investigation.