NEBRASKA CITY – An arrest warrant has been issued for a Nebraska City man on a felony abuse charge after his wife was found deceased at the Timber Ridge Apartments on Sept. 20.

The Otoe County Attorney’s Office filed  a complaint Wednesday alleging that Jody Smith, 64, was negligent in the death of his 74-year-old wife, Irene Moyn.

The Otoe County Sheriff's Office had served eviction notice Sept. 13 at the couple’s Orchard Drive apartment and Sheriff Colin Caudill returned Sept. 20 to restore the property to the owner.

The sheriff discovered the body and called police to investigate.

Police say a bedroom had been sealed off with duct tape around the door frame and a towel on the door’s bottom.

 

The body of Moyn was found inside of the room.

Preliminary autopsy reports did not indicate the cause or time of death, but pathologists reported that bed sores may have caused infection or septic that contributed to her death.

Police Capt. Lonnie Neeman called the circumstances of the case bizarre. He said Smith had promised relatives he would take care of Moyn.

Neeman said he is interested in talking with Smith.

Neeman said while Smith continued to live in the apartment,  it appears that the death of Moyn had been concealed.