NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | House Demolished After Woman's Body Went Undiscovered for 3 Weeks
Kitty Lewis was found dead along with her 30 cats earlier this summer at least three weeks after she had died. Neighbors said they are still concerned that she was able to slip through the system for so long.
Neighbors said they had complained for years about odor coming from Lewis' home, but the city did little to help her until it was too late.By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- More than three months after a woman was found dead along with her 30 cats inside her condemned house, neighbors said they are still concerned how Kitty Lewis slipped through the system.
Lewis was found dead in her condemned home earlier this summer at least three weeks after she had died.
Wednesday morning, Lewis' house was torn down, something neighbors said they have been waiting on for quite some time.
Jeff Lytle suited up so he could document the condition of Lewis' home before it was torn down.
"Physically, it was an obstacle course to get through. The ceiling had fallen down through most of the house. There was trash piled up through most of the house," Lytle said.
 | Tour the Condemned House |
Lytle lived across the street from Lewis and is still frustrated the system failed her.
"Put up a notice on the front door that says it's unfit for human habitation and someone continue to live there for 13 years, and it happened time and time again," Lytle said.
Wednesday morning, city contractors demolished Lewis' home. Steve Jones said he drove in from Duncan to make sure his daughter's home next door wasn't damaged in the demolition.
"It was a mess. It really was. I went into the backyard one time to retrieve a ball for my grandson. I ended up walking out. I bought him a new ball," Jones said.
Oklahoma City officials said Lewis' situation was unique. Employees said they had no idea of the condition inside of the home until the City County Health Department showed them.
"Outside of the property certainly didn't reveal any kind of problems that existed on the inside that were so bad," said Charles Locke, Code Enforcement Manager for Oklahoma City.
But neighbors said they complained for years about the odor coming from Lewis' home. A dead rotting possum was found inside in 2004, around the same time Lewis was found lying in a pile of animal and human feces.
"I thank God this house is gone. I pray for Kitty. Hopefully this is the end of the story," Jones said.
Neighbors said their focus will now shift to trying to get something done with the empty lot. Currently, the lot still belongs to the estate of Kitty Lewis.
Representative Danny Morgan said he plans to host a hearing in October on how and why this happened to Lewis.
Neighbors said they plan to use pictures of her home as part of their testimony.
More on News9.com:
- Woman Dies Among 30 Cats in Filthy House
- Former Home of Woman and Her 30 Cats to be Demolished
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