Latest news with #TabithaWorrell
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Family sickened by 'grotesque freak show' that awaited when they went to view son's casket
A mourning mother has been left with a gut-wrenching final memory of her son after his corpse was allegedly severely neglected at a Virginia funeral home. Tabitha Worrell has filed a lawsuit against Snellings Funeral Home in Chesapeake, where her deceased son's traumatizing open casket viewing was held. Torreon Williams, 24, died in a car crash in May 2022. When his family gathered to say their goodbyes at his wake a few days later, they were greeted with something out of a nightmare. 'They provided this family with a grotesque freak show,' Worrell's attorney Kevin Sharp told WAVY. 'Maggots pouring out of this young man's nose. Maggots in his mouth, and on his face.' The lawsuit states Williams' face was 'covered with and consumed by clumps of maggots.' 'The maggots had been on and in Torreon Williams' body for a significant period of time and had been purposely ignored on the day of Torreon Williams' service,' the document, which was filed in May, claims. Williams' aunt, Tiffany Barnhart, has the moment burned into her mind - recalling Worrell's blood-curdling screams at the sight of her son's decaying body. 'I remember the lady [a funeral home worker] placing her hand on [Worrell], telling her not to make a scene,' Barnhart told the outlet. Worrell has accused the funeral home, owned by Norfolk-based Hollomon-Brown Funeral Homes, of brushing off the situation and making it seem like her family was overreacting. The lawsuit alleges that at one point, a male employee approached the coffin and bluntly said: 'Flies got to him.' 'As businesses engaging in providing funeral services, Defendants are, or should be, aware of the fragility of families and friends surviving deceased loved ones to whom it provides services,' the suit reads. Worrell is suing Snellings Funeral Home and its parent company for $5 million, citing the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on her and her family. She said she now suffers from trauma, depression, anxiety, night terrors, nausea and humiliation stemming from the viewing, according to the filing. On top of the emotional devastation accusations, the lawsuit states that the funeral home did not properly preserve and prepare Williams' body - resulting in the 'grotesque fashion' he was presented. In a statement to WAVY, Hollomon-Brown Funeral Homes CEO Casey Jones said: 'The unexpected passing of Torreon Williams is tragic, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family. 'However, because the events following his death are the subject of ongoing litigation, we do not believe it is appropriate to comment publicly at this time.' This stomach-churning case is scheduled to be heard on July 28 in Chesapeake Circuit Court's civil division. The court is anticipating a three-day trial. According to his obituary, Williams was an adventurous car enthusiast who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his young nephew, Kendrick. He worked as a truck driver, but enjoyed making YouTube videos and playing video games in his downtime. 'Torreon was ambitious and lived life outside of the box. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends, creating bonds and memories with anyone in the room,' the obit reads.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Body 'covered with clumps of maggots' at funeral home as family left horrified
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Tabitha Worrell is taking legal action after it is said she was told "don't you make a scene" as employees took her to Torreon Williams' casket. A mum was disgusted after her son's body was allegedly discovered "covered with clumps of maggots" at a funeral home. Tabitha Worrell is taking legal action after it is said she was told "don't you make a scene" as employees took her to Torreon Williams' casket. She allegedly noticed the 24-year-old's body with "particularly his face, nose, and mouth, covered with and consumed by clumps of maggots" at Snelling Funeral Home in Chesapeake, Virginia. The lawsuit reads: "The maggots had been on and in Torreon Williams' body for a significant period of time and had been purposely ignored on the day of Torreon Williams' service as, in addition to the aforementioned, the maggots had burrowed into holes in his cheek and mouth that had not existed previously and were infested with large clumps of moving and visible maggots. "Plaintiff (Ms Worrell), her family, and friends experienced shock and horror at the grotesque display of the body of Torreon Williams and plaintiff (Ms Worrell) experienced extreme emotional disturbance." The family made a $3,000 (£2,200) down payment to the funeral home to handle the arrangements and scheduled a viewing and service. However, as reported by the Mirror, it is alleged "an employee of defendants (Snelling Funeral Home) approached the casket, placed her hands on plaintiff (Ms Worrell) and excleimed, 'don't you make a scene.'" After the family saw the sight, it is said a male employee tried to justify the disturbance by claiming "flies got to him". The family's lawyer, Kevin Sharp, said the funeral home provided the family with a "grotesque freak show". He told based in Virginia: "Maggots pouring out of this young man's nose. Maggots in his mouth, and on his face." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Ms Worrall's sister Tiffany Barnhart told the outlet her sibling screamed at the sight. Ms Barnhart added: "She was mortified by the way they reacted. They almost seemed to say, 'You don't overreact here.' You're the one to blame, not what they had done to her son." Mr Williams, who was a truck driver, "truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures," his obituary reads. These included chatting with friends and family, Youtubing, and spending time with his nephew. It adds: "Torreon had an uncanny ability to reach people profoundly and positively." The young man died of injuries suffered in a motorbike accident on Monday, May 2, 2022 and, after years of legal wrangling, the family is now finally able to press forward with its lawsuit. Ms Worrall is claiming in the suit the funeral home did not "adequately prepare, preserve and inspect" her son's body before the public viewing. They also believe that Snelling did not store the body in a sealed refrigeration environment, and it was thus exposed to elements. She is seeking $5,000,000 (£3.6million), as well as costs and fees and all other relief deemed fair. The case - a three-day jury trial - is set for Chesapeake Circuit Court's civil division on July 28.
