Investigators find marijuana grow in deceased man’s house
Authorities have discovered a large indoor marijuana grow inside a house being investigated for an unattended death.
The Teton County, Wyoming Sheriff’s Office said county investigators, the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation, and the Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Hazardous Materials team returned to the scene Friday.
When lawmen re-examined the house, where 69-year-old Jeffrey Archer was found dead November 21, they discovered a basement that was inaccessible from the rest of the house. The entrance was concealed behind a six-foot tall pile of trash and debris.
After making entry to the area, investigators discovered a large marijuana grow. Over one hundred plants were found. Some were cut down, and others were still in pots and grow beds. The sheriff’s office said it appeared the entire operation had been abandoned for well over a year. All of the plants were in an advanced state of decay.
Because of the extreme health hazard caused by the condition of the house, officers sealed the home earlier this week. Haz-Mat experts helped them return Friday. All of the marijuana was collected and destroyed.
The Sheriff’s Office said the operation was obviously larger than personal use, but there was no reason to suspect anyone else was involved in it.
Authorities are still attempting to locate Archer’s next of kin.
