Joyce Carol Vincent died at her home in December 2003. It took almost three years before her body, or what was left of it, was found.
His skeleton was found in January 2006 in the living room in front of the TV. Around her were unopened Christmas presents. Many wondered how it was that no one had missed her or noticed that she was dead.
No one came to the door
Joyce Carol Vincent was 38 when she died. She was born in the United States but moved to London during her college years.
Despite a difficult childhood, Joyce seemed to be doing well in life, but struggled in her private life and battled mental illness.
On January 5, 2006, a government employee knocked on her door to collect unpaid rent. No one came to the door, and it was decided to enter the apartment. There, Joyce’s skeleton was found in front of the television, but the only way to identify it was through dental reports. British authorities said there was every indication that she died of natural causes, possibly due to an asthma attack.
The image on the right is not real, but an artist’s reconstruction of the situation.
But why didn’t anyone notice for three years?
Joyce used to work at the prestigious accounting firm Ernst & Young, but left suddenly in 2001. Her former colleagues had different stories to tell, with some saying she quit while others said she was fired.
Acquaintances have described her as impulsive, as someone who “would quit her job if she ran into another employee who was suddenly moving.”
An investigation revealed that Joyce spent time at a home for victims of domestic violence between 2001 and 2003.
Joyce was the youngest of five siblings and the only one living in the UK. Her mother died when she was young. She appeared to have cut off all contact with her family before she died, and it is thought to be because of a man she was having an affair with.
She had no close friends but relied on the company of strangers, new boyfriends and co-workers.
The case caused great concern in Britain at the time. His death and how it happened raised important questions about loneliness, isolation and those who suffer in silence.
Joyce’s story has been the subject of numerous documentaries, articles and even a play.
