Man without a family lay dead on his kitchen floor for a year as 'no one was checking on him or paying attention'

  • Authorities found Gary Richard Buys, 69, dead on the kitchen floor of his Fenton, Michigan home Friday
  • Due to the level of decay, it is believed that he died more than a year ago
  • Buys was not married and had no known siblings or children 
  • His neighbor called authorities to do a welfare check on Buys who he had not heard from in over a year 

By Regina F. Graham For Dailymail.com

Published: 09:00 EST, 21 October 2015 | Updated: 15:42 EST, 21 October 2015

A Michigan man without a family has been found dead by police in his home 

The body of a 69-year-old man, who is believed to have been dead for more than a year, was discovered Friday in his Michigan home by police.

Sheriff Bob Bezotte says that deputies responded to a welfare check at a Fenton, Michigan residence belonging to Gary Richard Buys around 7.30am on Friday after a neighbor's request. 

Buys' body was found on the kitchen floor of his home, and due to the level of decay, authorities believe it had been there for more than a year. 

'We believe he died from natural causes,' Bezotte told USA Today. 

Tragic: Gary Richard Buys was found dead on his kitchen floor inside his Fenton, Michigan home (above)

Tragic: Gary Richard Buys was found dead on his kitchen floor inside his Fenton, Michigan home (above)

Sheriff Bob Bezotte (above) said that it's believed Buys died from natural causes more than a year ago

Sheriff Bob Bezotte (above) said that it's believed Buys died from natural causes more than a year ago

'It still remains open until an autopsy is completed. It's sad no one was checking on him or paying attention to him. 

'His (utility) services were still on so he must have paid through automatic payment plan.' 

Foul play is not suspected in Buys' death, Bezotte added. 

The sheriff did note that 'quite a few liquor bottles' were found in the multi-level home.

However, it is unclear if alcohol played a role in his death. Bezotte said that Buys does not have any known living family members as he did not marry and his parents are deceased.

His neighbors noticed that his yard had overgrown, but believed that Buys was at his cottage in northern Michigan.

Bezotte explained that a neighbor near the cabin reported not seeing Buys in a long time and grew concerned when he was not able to reach him when a tree fell on his cottage, USA Today reported. 

Early Friday morning he called the Sheriff's Department and asked that a welfare check be done in Fenton, Michigan. 

Neighbors told the Tri-County Times that Buys became a recluse after his mother died about three years ago. 

His neighbors noticed that his yard had overgrown, but believed that Buys was at his cottage in northern Michigan

His neighbors noticed that his yard had overgrown, but believed that Buys was at his cottage in northern Michigan

Bezotte explained that a neighbor near the cabin reported not seeing Buys in a long time and grew concerned when he was not able to reach him when a tree fell on his cottage. Above Buys' lawn is pictured

Bezotte explained that a neighbor near the cabin reported not seeing Buys in a long time and grew concerned when he was not able to reach him when a tree fell on his cottage. Above Buys' lawn is pictured

Early Friday morning the neighbor called the Sheriff's Department and asked that a welfare check be done in Fenton, Michigan, where his body was discovered

Early Friday morning the neighbor called the Sheriff's Department and asked that a welfare check be done in Fenton, Michigan, where his body was discovered

 

Comments (94)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now