Man Hid Body Of Dead Cousin, Decorated Marine To Collect State Benefits: Officials

A Fairfield man pleaded guilty to hiding his deceased cousin’s body in a closet for months while collecting the man’s state benefits and using his credit card. Steven Blankenship faces a recommended 10-year sentence and must pay nearly $15,000 in restitution; his cousin Michael, a decorated Marine who was honorably discharged in 1970, was later buried with full military honors.