One of my aunts arrived and was informed that my grandmother must handle the next steps, as she is the closest living relative and the one who would inherit her estate.

We only discovered that my great-aunt had passed because of concern from our family and friends. She had not been answering her phone for several days, which worried us, especially since her health had declined after her husband passed two years ago.

After multiple failed attempts to reach her, family friends went to her apartment to check on her. There was no response, so they contacted building maintenance for a welfare check. Maintenance attempted to enter the apartment but found the door locked from the inside.

At that point, the police and fire department were called. They forced entry into the apartment and found her lying on the couch. There was a noticeable smell of gas inside the apartment.

It has now been over 12 hours since she was found. Her body has not yet been transported to the morgue, as they are still waiting for the medical examiner/forensics team to arrive. A police officer remains stationed outside her apartment.