Portsmouth family indicted for allegedly moving woman’s body after overdose

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WOWK) — Two brothers and their mother were indicted on Friday for allegedly removing the body of an overdose victim from their house in Portsmouth before contacting 911.

According to a release from the Portsmouth Police Department, brothers Adam and Joseph Collins were indicted alongside their mother Patricia Collins for Gross Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Evidence and Obstructing Official Business.

The release said Patricia reported the body near an alley by her High Street residence in March 2024, saying that she found the body while taking the garbage out. The body was identified as Tiffany Shy, who was the girlfriend of Joseph.

Patricia told police that Joseph and Shy were homeless and did not live at the High Street residence, but police learned that Joseph was briefly at the scene, fleeing before the arrival of first responders.

An autopsy determined that Shy passed away from an accidental overdose.

A year later, police received information that indicated that Joseph was present when Shy died. The investigation also revealed a witness who said they saw the body being carried out of the residence by two people.

All three suspects were then interviewed. As a result, it was determined that Joseph and Shy were in the basement of the residence when the death occurred. Patricia ordered Joseph and Adams to remove Shy’s body from the house, only calling 911 after Shy was dropped in the back yard.