Mummified body found in Fort Bragg apartment

The badly decomposed body of a woman found inside her Fort Bragg apartment has led to the arrest of her caretaker on suspicion of elder abuse and false imprisonment.

The Fort Bragg Police Department said officers were called to the Duncan Place apartments on Cypress Street on Wednesday to check on the welfare of the woman. When they were admitted to her apartment, they found a body that appeared to be in a “mummified condition” due to the time that had elapsed since she died and the discovery of her corpse.

The woman appeared to have died at least a week ago, and as much as a month ago, said Sgt. Jonathan McLaughlin. She was between 60 and ?70 years old.

Based on the circumstances, police put out a bulletin to be on the lookout for the woman’s caretaker, Lori Fiorentino, 56, of Fort Bragg. She was arrested Friday after returning to the apartment complex.

Police did not disclose why they believe the woman’s death was caused by her caretaker’s abuse.

“Where the evidence has led us, we can’t go into details how we believe this,” McLaughlin said.

He acknowledged, however, “there appeared to be no signs of physical abuse. It’s more of a neglect case.”

Autopsy results are pending. Investigators were still trying to determine how often the caretaker, who did not live in the same apartment complex, took care of the victim and what her responsibilities were, McLaughlin said. Police are asking anyone with information about Fiorentino providing care services to others to contact Officer Breyer at 707-961-2800, ext. 189. Anonymous information can also be left on the Crime/Tip Hotline, 707-961-3049.

You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 707-521-5214.?or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com. ?On Twitter@clarkmas