Police: Dad in freezer died of natural causes

PORTLAND – An 87-year-old man found dead inside a freezer at his home south of Portland died of natural causes, police said.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that detectives arrested Edward Fitchett, 59, last week after discovering the body of his father, Henry Conley Fitchett Jr., in a home in Aurora, Ore.

A Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said the agency wasn’t commenting Friday beyond the cause of death.

Prosecutors said the elder Fitchett died more than a year ago, and his son is accused of moving his corpse.

Family members contacted police in January to report that Fitchett had not been seen in months.

Court records said the son is accused of abuse of a corpse and 13 counts of theft for stealing money from his father.

Edward Fitchett remains in the Marion County jail on $280,000 bail.