Police said that four days passed before the horrifying discovery of a woman’s body inside a department store bathroom.
Belk, a department store in Columbiana, South Carolina, employed Bessie Burham, 63, as a janitor.
She entered the store’s restroom during her shift on Thursday night, according to security footage.
She left her cleaning cart outside the restroom, but no one ever saw her go.
Police discovered Burham dead in a bathroom stall on Monday, four days later.
After these four days passed without any communication from her, her family reported her missing.
A different employee last saw Burham on Thursday, and for the following four days, business as usual was maintained in the store.
The news that a dead body was lying right in front of them without anyone noticing stunned the crowd.
One customer told WISTV, “I was just there yesterday… if I’d gone in the restroom, which I typically do a lot, you know, I don’t know, that’s just bad.
There are numerous things that need to be addressed, Columbia resident Beverly Stroman told the news source.
“You wonder why the customers didn’t see it and report it, but you would think, the employees, if she’s still on the clock, would know that and go and check to see where she was,” said Stroman.
After the disturbing discovery, Deputy Chief Melron Kelly said: “We’re still working with the store to find out what their process is to closing down the store, inspecting the store and things of that nature.”
The department store issued the following statement in response to the incident: “First and foremost, we would like to express our sincere sympathies to the family of the housekeeping worker who worked for KBS, which offers cleaning services at our Columbiana Centre location.
“At this time, we are working with KBS to determine the details around what happened. We have also made counselors available to Belk and KBS associates seeking support.”
The coroner stated there were no signs of drug use or murder during Burham’s unfinished autopsy.
According to WSAV, police are still looking to discover if anyone was careless.
Depending on their results, criminal charges might be brought, WISTV reported.
