Man kept dead mum in freezer for three years while claiming £78,000 in her benefits

A 60-year-old man has been jailed after keeping his deceased mother’s body in a freezer for almost three years while continuing to collect thousands of pounds in her benefits.

Christopher Phillips stored his mother Silvia Phillips’ body inside a chest freezer in the living room of their home in Porthcawl, Wales, while hiding her death from authorities and medical professionals, a court heard.

Phillips admitted preventing the lawful and decent burial of his 89-year-old mother, as well as two counts of fraud for failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Bridgend County Borough Council of her death.

He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. Judge Lloyd-Clarke said Phillips continued to deceive professionals after his mother’s death and kept accessing her money.

“You continued to collect her prescriptions and misled medical professionals about her whereabouts, lying when enquiries were made about your mother, repeatedly telling medical staff that she did not wish to attend appointments or undergo tests,” the judge said. “Your mother’s pension and benefits continued to be paid into her bank accounts which you were able to access.”

The court heard that Phillips continued receiving around £78,000 in benefits and pension payments while concealing his mother’s death. Phillips had previously worked as a company director but later became a full-time carer for his mother, with whom he had lived for around 50 years.

Mrs Phillips died in 2023, although the exact cause of death remains unclear. After her death, Phillips purchased a chest freezer and placed her body inside it in the family home. Police discovered her remains in February 2026 after carrying out a welfare check following concerns raised by her medical practice.

Her body was reportedly found covered with a leopard print throw, alongside roses and a birthday card which read: “To Mum, from Christopher and Tina”, referring to the family dog. The court heard that Phillips had been “exceptionally close” to his adopted mother and told police: “I basically didn’t want to let her go.”

His defence lawyer, Ruth Smith, said Phillips continued speaking to his mother as if she was still alive. “He described talking to her as if she was still alive… Sitting next to her, talking to her about television programmes, Coronation Street, the horse racing, just as they always did,” she said.

Ms Smith added that Phillips was experiencing mental health difficulties at the time of his mother’s death and described him as a vulnerable individual. However, Judge Lloyd-Clarke said the offence was aggravated by the length of time Phillips concealed the death and the financial benefit he gained.

“Although your mother suffered the indignity of being stored in a chest freezer for three years, there were no other indignities following her death,” the judge said. “Your offending is aggravated by the length of time over which you concealed your mother’s death and because you had the financial advantage of continuing to receive her pension and benefits.”

An inquest into Mrs Phillips’ death remains ongoing, with a provisional cause of death awaiting further investigations.