Maybe George Silver had always been the quiet sort, but even the most determined recluse would be spotted at least once - particularly by his own brother, with whom he shared a three-room trailer. Still, 72-year-old Herbert Silver didn't think twice about George's anti-social behaviour. Then he found him in his room, dead. He called police immediately to report George's "sudden death," but medical examiners estimated the time of demise to be a little further back. About 18 months back.

Herbert told police that one morning George seemed to be sleeping rather late, but felt it was his brother's prerogative. He would have gone to check on him, too, but he wasn't "at his beck and call."

"I admit I didn't go into his room for a few days," says Herbert. "Well… quite a while, actually." When he finally did go check, Herbert thought his brother "looked a bit skeletal." That's when he called the police. An inquest is planned, though no foul play is suspected.

» Scott Saxon