A Michigan couple allegedly failed to tell police that their adult son mutilated the body of a missing woman who was reportedly found earlier this month in the man’s apartment and shared basement.
James Howard Chance, 76, and Barbara Louise Chance, 63, were recently charged with perjury and being an accessory after the fact in connection with Jared James Chance’s mutilation and dismemberment of Ashley Young, 30. Reports indicated that Young was last seen with Jared, 29, early November 29 at Mulligan’s Pub in Eastown.
According to WOOD, a probable cause affidavit indicated that a day before Young’s remains were found, Jared informed his parents of Young’s death and revealed he dismembered her body and hid some of her remains. On December 2, a couple living below Jared reportedly noticed an unusual smell coming from the basement, leading them to discover a tarp which was leaking blood. They called the police.
Citing court records, the news station reported that police discovered “articles that…could have been used to dismember a human body” in the man’s apartment. The Holland Sentinel reported that Young’s torso, sans her legs, arms, and head, was found under the tarp while other body parts were located in Jared’s apartment.
According to MLive.com, police accused the parents of going to Grand Rapids police headquarters the day the remains were found but failing to tell them about Young’s death or dismemberment.
“After leaving GRPD, (the parents) left Jared Chance at Jared’s residence at 922 Franklin and then … returned to [their home in] Holland, making no effort to contact the authorities in any way to inform them of Ashley Young’s death and mutilation,” the affidavit said.
After bonding out of jail Wednesday morning, the mother reportedly said they did call the police, with her retired cop husband adding that he was the one to turn his son in. Speaking with WOOD, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker indicated their comments were “not quite” true, but declined to expand on his comments due to their ongoing investigation.
MLive.com reported that Jared is charged with mutilation of a body and concealing a death. Though the probable cause affidavit listed the case as a homicide investigation, Jared hasn’t been charged with Young’s death. Her cause of death isn’t immediately known. He remains jailed on $750,000 bond.
[Featured image: Barbara Louise Chance, James Howard Chance/WOOD video screengrab]
