NJ Man Hid Cousin's Body for 8 Months to Collect Benefits

A New Jersey man has admitted to hiding the body of his U.S. Marine veteran cousin in a closet for over eight months while collecting his deceased relative's state benefits. Steven M. Blankenship, 59, pleaded guilty to concealing the death of his cousin, Michael S. Blankenship, 72, and defrauding the state of thousands of dollars.

According to prosecutors, Steven Blankenship, who acted as his older cousin's caretaker, hid Michael's death from authorities to continue receiving the veteran's benefits and checks. He admitted to this scheme during an Oct. 9 hearing.

Authorities discovered the ruse in April 2025 when they responded to a wellness check at Michael Blankenship's mobile home in Fairfield Township. Upon arrival, New Jersey State Police noted a smell consistent with decomposition. An investigation inside the home led officers to discover the veteran's body.

The corpse was found wrapped in three layers of plastic inside a bedroom closet. The closet door had been sealed with duct tape and lacked a knob. Court documents indicate a note found in the trailer, believed to be written by Steven Blankenship, stated that Michael had died from "dementia-related causes" on July 27, 2024. The note also suggested that the author had been using the deceased's credit card and income due to his own declining health.

Steven Blankenship was indicted by a grand jury in July 2025 on charges of theft and desecrating human remains. He initially rejected a plea deal that offered a 12-year prison sentence, but later accepted a plea agreement for a 10-year sentence.

In addition to the prison term, Blankenship has been ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to the New Jersey Department of Labor. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Michael Blankenship was discharged from military service in 1970 and was eventually buried with full military honors in 2025.