CARMI, Ill. (WJPF) – A woman is accused of hiding her mother’s death and cashing her checks in Carmi.

59 year old Dawn Fowler of Grayville was charged with forgery, concealing a death, and obstructing justice by destroying evidence.

The investigation began when the mailman, who frequently talked to 77 year old Nancy Fowler, asked police to check on her after not seeing her for around a month.

Her body was found inside her home on Shipley Street in Carmi.

The autopsy of Nancy Fowler was underway as of Wednesday, May 6. Dawn Fowler was in court on Tuesday, May 5.