A Memphis woman was arrested on Friday, July 11, after the “malnourished and mummified” body of her daughter was discovered in a hotel room, according to police documents. Kimberly Moore, 46, faces charges of abuse of a corpse and failure to report a dead body following the tragic incident in Southeast Memphis.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), officers were called to perform a welfare check at the Home Inn Suites, located in the 7900 block of Lowrance Road, at approximately 2:30 p.m. The hotel manager had expressed concerns about a guest, Kimberly Moore, who had made statements indicating that she was not well.
Upon arrival, Moore told officers that her husband owned the hotel and that she was there to “ensure employees were doing their job,” according to court documents. However, officers noted her behavior was suspicious, prompting further investigation.
While speaking with Moore, police reported smelling a strong odor emanating from her hotel room. Moore, however, denied noticing any foul smell. Concerned by her demeanor, deputies decided to enter the room. Inside, they discovered Moore’s daughter “lying in the hotel bed unresponsive, cold to the touch, malnourished, and mummified.” Medical examiners later determined that the body had been in the room for “quite some time.”
Following the discovery, Moore was detained and taken to the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center for questioning. However, she refused to provide a statement to law enforcement, repeatedly claiming that her daughter was “still here.”
Detectives later concluded that Moore appeared to be in a “state of crisis” and was experiencing hallucinations. Authorities described her as “disoriented and irritable.” She was subsequently transported to a separate facility for evaluation.
Moore now faces serious charges as authorities continue their investigation into the tragic death of her daughter. The case has shocked the local community, with many questions remaining about the circumstances surrounding the young girl’s death and the actions of her mother leading up to it.