An Alabama man awaiting trial in the death of his son, whose decomposing body was found in a non-function freezer, has died.
Court records say Michael Halstead, 44, was out of jail on bond when he died on July 7, death. A cause of death was not released.
Halstead and his wife, 44-year-old Karen Halstead, were charged with reckless manslaughter and abuse of a corpse in the death of 19-year-old Logan Halstead, who had spina bifida and other medical issues, last year. Karen Halstead’s trial is set to begin in October.
Logan Halstead’s body was found on October 29 in an overturned, non-functional freezer in the backyard of a home the Halsteads had previously rented, as CrimeOnline reported. The Halsteads had moved out in September, and the body was found by the home’s new owner while cleaning the property.
Michael Halstead reportedly told police about his son’s body earlier on the same day when he was arrested for failing to appear in court on a domestic violence charge. Police did not find the body at that time, however.
Henry County investigators said the condition of the teen’s body indicated he may have died as early as July. His body was wrapped in plastic and placed in a cardboard box before being put in the freezer. Michael Halstead testified in court last year that he had been experiencing a manic episode didn’t know how the body got into a freezer, but he said his wife had nothing to do with it.
Charging documents say the parents “recklessly and consciously disregarded the treatment of Logan which resulted in his death,” according to AL.com.
