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A man in upstate New York has been arrested after his 89-year-old mother was found dead in a shed where she had been living without heat or running water, authorities said. The case — and the homicide ruling that followed an autopsy — spotlights gaps in elder care and oversight in rural communities.
What investigators found
New York State Police say troopers were called to a property in Carlisle on Feb. 23, 2025, after a report of an unattended death. Inside a detached shed on the parcel, officers discovered the body of Nancy Polizzi, 89.
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Medical examiners determined the immediate cause of death was sepsis, stemming from untreated gangrenous decubitus ulcers — commonly known as bedsores. The manner of death was recorded as a homicide, according to the state police.
Investigators learned the elder woman had been living in the outbuilding since August 2024. The shed reportedly lacked running water and heating; local weather data shows temperatures in Carlisle plunged to single digits in February, underscoring exposure risks.
Charges and custody
Police say Nancy’s son, 64-year-old Joseph Polizzi, was the person responsible for her daily care. Authorities allege she was unable to walk, feed herself, or speak in the weeks prior to her death and that he failed to obtain necessary medical treatment.
Joseph Polizzi was arrested at his residence and booked into the Schoharie County Correctional Facility. He faces charges including criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person. Bail was set at a range of options: $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond or $50,000 partially secured bond.
- Victim: Nancy Polizzi, 89
- Suspect: Joseph Polizzi, 64, identified as the victim’s primary caretaker
- Location: Carlisle, New York (about 40 miles west of Albany)
- Date discovered: Feb. 23, 2025
- Cause of death: Sepsis from untreated gangrenous bedsores; manner ruled homicide
- Charges: Criminally negligent homicide; endangering an elderly person
The state police continue to handle the investigation; prosecutors will decide whether to pursue additional charges as the case moves through the courts. The arrest underscores how neglect can escalate to fatal outcomes when medically fragile adults lack appropriate supervision or access to care.
Local officials and elder-care advocates say such incidents raise policy and community questions about resources for older residents who rely on family caregivers, especially in isolated areas where medical checks may be infrequent.
Court proceedings have not yet been scheduled publicly. Authorities ask anyone with more information about the case to contact the New York State Police.
