Mother Sues Virginia Funeral Home Over “Grotesque” Maggot Incident
*Tabitha Worrell wanted to say goodbye to her son with dignity. Instead, she says she was met with a horrifying nightmare—her son’s body visibly crawling with maggots during an open-casket viewing.
Now, she’s suing Snellings Funeral Home and its parent company, Hollomon-Brown, for $5 million.
The shocking incident took place in Chesapeake, Virginia, in May 2022. Worrell’s 24-year-old son, Torreon Williams, had died in a car crash. But what was meant to be a moment of closure turned into what her lawyer calls a “grotesque freak show.”
The lawsuit claims negligence, breach of contract, and emotional distress—accusing the funeral home of failing to properly prepare the body, and then dismissing the family’s horror when the issue was brought up.
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Maggots Found in Mouth and Face During Open Casket Viewing
According to court documents, family members discovered “large clumps of moving and visible maggots” on Williams’ face, nose, and mouth. Holes were reportedly burrowed into his cheek—holes that weren’t there before the funeral home took custody of the body.
Worrell had paid a $3,000 down payment for standard funeral services, which included sanitary preparation and embalming. Instead, she was left with an image that continues to haunt her and her family.
Witnesses say the facility was warm, with doors left open—conditions that may have contributed to the infestation. The lawsuit also alleges that the body was never properly refrigerated or disinfected prior to embalming.
Funeral Staff Allegedly Downplayed the Horror
The lawsuit accuses Snellings Funeral Home staff of mishandling the family’s distress. When Worrell cried out in shock, one employee allegedly told her, “Don’t you make a scene.” Another reportedly shrugged it off, saying, “Flies got to him.”
This response only deepened the family’s trauma. Williams’ aunt, Tiffany Barnhart, described her sister’s screams as heartbreaking and said the staff’s dismissive reaction was “mortifying.”
Worrell has since experienced nightmares, anxiety, depression, and flashbacks. The lawsuit states that the family has “in some ways, lost Tabitha Worrell,” due to the ongoing emotional damage.
$5 Million Lawsuit Demands Accountability for Funeral Negligence
- Negligence: Failing to properly clean, preserve, and present the body as contracted.
- Breach of Contract: Not delivering agreed-upon services, including embalming and sanitary care.
- Emotional Distress: Causing psychological trauma so severe that Worrell now requires therapy.
The case is scheduled for trial on July 28, 2025, in Chesapeake Circuit Court. Attorney Kevin Sharp is seeking a three-day jury trial, saying the viewing “was supposed to allow the family to mourn with grace and respect.”
Instead, he argues, it became an “indescribable trauma”—one that could have been avoided with basic professional care.
Funeral Home Responds as Public Outrage Grows
Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home issued a carefully worded statement, offering condolences but declining further comment due to pending litigation. Snellings Funeral Home, meanwhile, has not responded to any media inquiries.
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage. Social media users on platforms like X and Instagram have rallied around Worrell, with posts from accounts like @TheRSMS and @92QJamsBmore amplifying the story and calling for justice.
Many are questioning how such a gross mishandling of a body could happen in a professional setting—and how often incidents like this go unreported.
A Tragic Reminder of Why Funeral Industry Standards Matter
This case has highlighted glaring issues in funeral home accountability. While most families assume that a body will be treated with dignity and respect, this lawsuit shows the devastating impact when that trust is broken.
Kevin Sharp, Worrell’s attorney, says the emotional toll is still unfolding.
“This experience continues to haunt the family,” he told reporters. “They were robbed of a peaceful goodbye.”
As the case heads to court, it could set a precedent for how funeral homes are held accountable for gross negligence—and how families are protected during one of life’s most vulnerable moments.
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