A Virginia mother, Tabitha Worrell, has filed a lawsuit against Snelling Funeral Home in Chesapeake and its owner, Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home in Norfolk, following a horrific discovery at her son’s funeral. The lawsuit claims that when Worrell and her family approached her son’s casket for the viewing, they were confronted with the shocking sight of his face, nose, and mouth allegedly “covered with and consumed by clumps of maggots.” Worrell is seeking $5 million in damages for breach of contract and negligence.
The Tragic Incident
Tabitha Worrell’s son, Torreon Williams, tragically passed away at the age of 24 on May 2, 2022, following a car accident. The family made a $3,000 down payment to Snelling Funeral Home to handle the arrangements. A week after his death, the family held a viewing and funeral at the funeral home. However, what should have been a somber moment of remembrance turned into a nightmare.
According to the lawsuit, as mourners approached the body, they were horrified to see that Torreon’s face, nose, and mouth were covered in maggots. The suit claims that the maggots appeared to have been on the body for a significant period and had likely been “purposely ignored” by the funeral home staff. The maggots had burrowed into holes in his face that were not present previously.
Alleged Negligence and Unacceptable Treatment
The lawsuit accuses the funeral home of failing to properly prepare, preserve, and inspect Williams’ body before the viewing. It claims that the body was not stored in a sealed refrigerator, exposing it to flies and maggots. The plaintiffs argue that the funeral home’s actions—or lack thereof—caused severe emotional and mental distress for Worrell, leading to psychological treatment for anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and sleeplessness.
Worrell’s attorneys also allege that when the shocking discovery was made, funeral home employees were dismissive of her reaction. One employee allegedly placed a hand on Worrell and told her, “don’t you make a scene.” Another staff member reportedly said, “the flies got to him,” implying that the maggots were a natural occurrence.
The Legal Action
Worrell is now suing the funeral home for breach of contract, arguing that the funeral home’s failure to properly care for her son’s body violated their agreement. The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages, claiming that the family was provided with a “grotesque freak show” instead of the respectful funeral service they expected.
Worrell’s lawyer, Kevin Sharp, expressed the severity of the situation, saying, “Maggots pouring out of this young man’s nose. Maggots in his mouth, and on his face.” He also criticized the staff’s response to the family’s horror, noting how they tried to downplay the situation by telling Worrell not to make a scene. “It almost seemed like they were saying, ‘You’re the one to blame,’ not taking responsibility for what had happened to her son,” Sharp added.
Funeral Home’s Response
In response to the lawsuit, Casey Jones, CEO of the funeral homes involved, issued a brief statement to local NBC affiliate WAVY. “The unexpected passing of Torreon Williams is tragic, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family,” Jones said. “However, because the events following his death are the subject of ongoing litigation, we do not believe it is appropriate to comment publicly at this time.”
The lawsuit filed by Tabitha Worrell is a powerful reminder of the trust families place in funeral homes to handle their loved ones with dignity and care. The allegations of negligence, mistreatment, and the disturbing discovery at the viewing have caused immense emotional trauma to Worrell and her family. As the legal process unfolds, they continue to seek justice for Torreon Williams, demanding accountability from the funeral home for their actions.
