Click on graphic if you want to see Charlie — alive

Linda Chase knows what she did sounds morbid…She is ashamed of it and figures she will likely go to prison for keeping her friend’s dead body inside a Jackson house for months, cashing his benefit checks…

“I didn’t want to be alone. He was the only guy who was ever nice to me.”

Zigler, known as Charlie, died naturally, Chase said. “He just fell asleep.” She kept him in his chair after he died, keeping him dressed and cleaned. His body did not stink, she said. She would talk to him and watch NASCAR races on television with him…

After not hearing from Zigler for some time, family members became concerned and called police, Lt. Chris Simpson said. Officers went Friday to the house, 365 N. Cooper St. Chase let them inside where they found Zigler sitting in a living room chair. A medical examiner determined Zigler died of natural causes. Police believe he died around Christmas 2010.

Chase went with detectives to the Jackson Police Station and answered questions. She admitted to keeping his body and cashing Social Security checks. Even before Zigler died, Chase would sign his name and cash his checks, she said Tuesday. She knows the police are investigating her and she is worried.

“I’m probably going to prison,” she said, adding she asked police if there was a way to pay back the cashed checks.

Linda Chase doesn’t sound quite as acquisitive as most cases I’ve learned of – of folks continuing to cash SSA checks from the dearly departed.

For those who are True Believers, I guess continuing the shared interest in NASCAR sort of fits the pattern of friendship. Though it would drive me to terminal narcolepsy.