In a haunting and heartbreaking discovery, Memphis police have arrested a woman after the mummified remains of her daughter were found in a hotel room, uncovering what authorities call a deeply disturbing case of neglect, mental illness, and unspoken tragedy.
Kimberly Moore, 46, is now facing charges of abuse of a corpse and failure to report a death after deputies were called to the Home Inn Suites on Lowrance Road for a welfare check.
The call came after hotel management reported erratic behavior from Moore, who bizarrely claimed that her husband “owned” the hotel. What deputies found next has shaken even the most seasoned investigators.
According to the police report, when deputies initially spoke with Moore, nothing seemed obviously out of place, until they caught the smell.
There was an overwhelming odor coming from the room. When questioned about it, Moore appeared unfazed, claiming not to notice anything unusual and growing increasingly agitated.
Inside the room, lying still on a hotel bed, was the lifeless, mummified body of her daughter.
The child, whose name has not yet been released, was described by the medical examiner as cold, severely malnourished, and dead for “quite some time.”
Flies were swarming around the small body—evidence that the death had not only gone unreported but had been hidden for weeks, possibly months.
Court records reveal a chilling detail: Moore told authorities that her daughter “was still with her,” and that God was watching over them both.
Mental health professionals say Moore appeared to be experiencing a severe psychological crisis and may have been suffering from untreated delusions or psychosis. She was transported to receive a mental health evaluation before being booked into Shelby County Jail East, where she remains held without bond.
This tragic case has left the community reeling, and asking how many warning signs were missed.
One hotel guest who requested anonymity said, “We saw her walking the halls, mumbling to herself, but no one ever imagined something like this. That poor child.”
Authorities have not confirmed how long the child had been dead or the exact cause of death, but an autopsy is underway.
What remains painfully clear is that a young life was lost—and for far too long, no one knew.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for confidential support.
