A pensioner has been devoured by her pet cats, who fed on her for three months after she died at home alone.
By the time she was found, Clara Ines Tobon had been “eaten from the waist up”, a neighbour was told by police. Officers said it was “the worst thing they had seen in their entire career”.
The Colombian who lived in Madrid, Spain, had seven cats, and it’s thought that at least five of them had been feasting on her decomposing body.
The tragic 79-year-old was found last week after neighbours complained of a stench coming from her home, which was in San Cugat sel Valles street. Firefighters were called by police to gain access to the apartment via a window.
(Image: Getty Images)
After the body of Clara – who had lived alone for 25 years – was found, tests were carried out on the pensioner to see if she had died from Covid-19. Neighbours said she had been ill since last year, leading to fears that she may have been a coronavirus victim, although post-mortem exam results haven’t been released yet.
The dead cats had their stomachs checked to confirm they had been eating their owner. The two surviving felines, which were in a poor state, were taken to an animal rescue centre.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Clara used to be seen regularly out and about feeding stray cats, and it’s thought she suffered from Diogenes syndrome, or senile squalor syndrome, which involves self-neglect, squalor and the hoarding of rubbish and animals.
Police said her home was full of rubbish and cat excrement, as well as her half-eaten body.
The housing association that owns the apartment said she had been continuing to pay her rent, even after she died.
It was in Madrid two years ago that a dog survived the death of his owner by eating part of his leg.
The body of the man, who had died of cancer, lay undiscovered for a month, forcing his pooch to eat him in order to stay alive.
The dead man reportedly had no flesh left on his legs, where the animal had devoured him.
