Two in 'three-way relationship' charged for hiding third's death for a year: Police

A Disturbing Case of Abuse and Theft Involving a Deceased Man

A man and a woman are now facing serious charges, including abuse of a corpse and theft, after allegedly failing to report the death of a man with whom they were in a “three-way relationship.” According to a police affidavit, James Agnew and Suzanne Agnew are being held accountable for the death of James “Jim” O’Neill. Police believe that O’Neill died sometime between December 10 and December 20, 2023, but his family only reported his disappearance in June 2025.

O’Neill’s family had not heard from him since 2019, except for a single phone call in 2021. The situation took a dark turn when O’Neill’s brother requested a welfare check on June 19, 2025, at an address in Lakewood. At that time, James Agnew met with officers and pretended to be O’Neill, identifying himself only as “James” and refusing any contact with O’Neill’s family. After further investigation, it became clear that Agnew was not O’Neill.

During the initial visit, Agnew claimed that O’Neill had never lived at the residence, but later corrected himself, stating that he had lived there for a few months before moving out. Suzanne Agnew supported this claim, according to the affidavit. However, O’Neill’s brother eventually gained access to his bank account and discovered that it had been regularly used, with a $967 monthly deposit from social security. The account also showed transactions in June 2025 and regular ATM withdrawals.

Police reviewed surveillance footage and identified a man matching Agnew’s description using O’Neill’s card to make a withdrawal. Investigators also obtained a recording of a phone call O’Neill made on December 3, 2023, where he expressed concerns about his roommate threatening him. He feared that the threats might be carried out.

On July 3, 2025, police executed a warrant to search the residence and detained James Agnew for an outstanding arrest warrant. Suzanne then came to the door and told officers that they would find O’Neill’s body in the house. Detectives confirmed this by finding his body inside.

During an interview at the police station, Suzanne described the “intimate” three-way relationship between herself, James Agnew, and O’Neill. She stated that they had lived together for many years and that she was with O’Neill when he made the call to dispatch. She mentioned that the three had considered moving out of the residence because Agnew’s behavior had become “erratic.”

Suzanne said that a week or two later, the three went to sleep, and she woke up to find O’Neill dead. She claimed that Agnew suggested calling the police, but she was not ready to “give up” Jim. She believed that O’Neill had died due to a medical issue.

According to the affidavit, Suzanne and Agnew covered O’Neill’s body with an air mattress about a week after his death because some of her eight chihuahuas had started chewing on his body. This disturbing detail highlights the extent of their neglect and lack of concern for the deceased.

James Agnew also spoke with police and admitted that O’Neill’s social security benefits were a consideration in deciding whether to report his death. Agnew suggested that drug use might have been involved the night of O’Neill’s death.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Both Agnew and Suzanne face multiple charges, including:

• Tampering with a deceased human body
• Theft between $5,000 and $20,000
• Abuse of a corpse
• Unauthorized use of a financial transaction device between $5,000 and $20,000

Suzanne Agnew is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August 27, while James Agnew has arraignment hearings on September 2 and September 29.

This case raises serious questions about the responsibilities of individuals who live with others and the legal consequences of failing to report a death. It also highlights the importance of monitoring financial accounts and ensuring that deceased individuals are properly accounted for.