Virginia mother sues funeral home after son’s body found infested with maggots at viewing

Chesapeake, VA — A Virginia mother has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Snellings Funeral Home and its parent company, Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, after a family viewing turned into what her attorney described as a “grotesque freak show.”

Mother sues Snellings Funeral Home over son’s horrible condition

According to the lawsuit filed by Tabitha Worrell, her 24-year-old son, Torreon Williams, died in a car accident on May 2, 2022. One week later, during a scheduled viewing at Snellings Funeral Home, mourners were horrified to discover Williams’ body visibly infested with maggots—particularly around his face, nose, and mouth.

Lawsuit details

The complaint alleges that the maggots had been present for a “significant period of time” and had burrowed into new holes in Williams’ cheeks and mouth that were not caused by the accident. Worrell claims the funeral home failed to properly preserve or prepare her son’s remains, and that the facility was warm with doors left open on the day of the viewing—conditions that may have contributed to the infestation.

In a particularly distressing moment, Worrell says a funeral home employee placed their hands on her and told her, “Don’t you make a scene,” as she reacted in shock. Another staff member allegedly dismissed the situation by saying, “Flies got to him”.

Negligence claim against Snellings Funeral Home

Worrell’s attorney, Kevin Sharp, stated that the funeral home’s handling of the body amounted to negligence and a breach of contract.

“They provided this family with a grotesque freak show,” Sharp told local media. “Maggots pouring out of this young man’s nose. Maggots in his mouth, and on his face”.

The lawsuit also claims that Worrell has suffered severe emotional trauma, including nightmares, anxiety, and depression, as a result of the experience. She is seeking damages for emotional distress, breach of contract, and negligence.

The case is scheduled to be heard in Chesapeake Civil Court on July 28,