Man found dead in a freezer may have planned to keep death secret to help wife: Police

TOOELE, Utah (KSTU) -- Police in Tooele are getting closer to solving the case of a man found dead in a freezer for more than 10 years.

Officers found Paul Mathers shortly after his wife died of natural causes in her Tooele retirement community. He would have been 69 years old this week.

Investigators believe Jeanne Souron-Mathers, 75, left her husband dead in the freezer between February 4, 2009, and March 8, 2009. They found his body along with a notarized letter signed by Paul Mathers stating his wife did not kill him.

“It was notarized on December 2, 2008,” said Sgt. Jeremy Hansen of the Tooele Police Department. “We believe he had a terminal illness.”

The investigation is still ongoing, and detectives have not ruled out homicide. The notarized letter has raised questions as to whether the couple planned to keep Mathers' death a secret so his wife could continue receiving his government benefits.

Tooele Police believe Souron-Mathers received at least $177,000 of government payouts.

Detectives have been able to interview the person responsible for notarizing the letter in 2008.

“She told the detective she didn't read the note, she just stamped it and signed it,” Hansen said.

Police also added there are more pertinent details to the case contained within the letter, but that information is not being released at this time.