Mummified Man's Body Found On Toilet In Bay Area Home

a relativeUNION CITY, CA — Police found the mummified body of a man sitting on a toilet inside a Union City home during a welfare check. But they weren't searching for the man — they were checking up on a 95-year-old woman, who was reported missing, according to police.

A man in his 50s was living in the home where the body was found.

Although the case is just now coming to light, the body was discovered in mid-August.

Events began to unfold when a concerned relative asked police to check on the woman because they hadn't been able to reach her for an extended period of time.

Police went to the woman's last known address and were met by a man in his 50s who appeared to have a mental illness. The man was placed on an involuntary mental health hold. Once that happened, police searched the home. They found deplorable conditions, including trash everywhere.

Then, they found the man on the toilet.

He has been identified as Darryl Emerson, 70, son of the missing woman, according to KTVU. His death is attributed to natural causes. When he died has yet to be determined.

The man who was placed on a psychiatric hold is also a relative of the woman who was reported missing, the East Bay Times reports.

Meanwhile, the missing woman had been placed in a healthcare facility two years ago, where she remains, because of Alzheimer's disease, but the inquisitive relative had not been informed.

Police are continuing their investigation