FAIRFIELD, NJ — A 59-year-old man admitted to hiding his dead cousin's body in a closet for months in order to collect state benefits, court records show.
Steven Blankenship, of Fairfield, pleaded guilty as part of an agreement on Oct. 9 to one count of second-degree desecrating human remains and one count of third-degree theft by deception.
In April 2025, New Jersey State Police responded to the mobile home trailer of Michael Blankenship, 72, in what was "Tips Trailer Park" at 868 E. Commerce St. for a well-being check.
Nobody was found at the home, but troopers noticed a distinct smell coming from the unit "consistent with decomposition."
After kicking down a door, they found the body of Michael Blankenship, a former United States Marine, wrapped in three layers of plastic and hidden in a bedroom closet.
The door was sealed with electrical tape and missing a door knob, court filings revealed.
In the trailer, police found a handwritten message that said Blankenship died on July 27, 2024, due to "dementia-related causes."
They also found a folder labeled "Life Insurance Policy" and other financial documents at the home.
Police believe Steven, who was Michael's caretaker, left the message behind.
The note detailed how Steven Blankenship left his cousin's body on the floor for two days before putting him in the closet.
It also entailed an admission that Steven used Michael's benefits for months after his death in order to supplement his own financial situation.
He also used his cousin's credit card to retrieve funds and buy items.
In speaking to police, Steven's ex-girlfriend confirmed he had also impersonated Michael numerous times before in order to retrieve his financial benefits.
Michael was buried with full military honors in 2025 after being honorably discharged from the Marines in 1970.
According to his obituary, he went on to operate a forklift and live in the Evergreen community for more than 40 years.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Blankenship serve 10 years in jail.
He will also have to pay nearly $15,000 in restitution fees to the New Jersey Department of Labor.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 11.
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