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The original was posted on /r/bestofredditorupdates by /u/Choice_Evidence1983 on 2024-09-15 04:01:05+00:00.

I am NOT OOP, OOP is u/artichoke_onmyheart

Originally posted to r/AmIOverreacting

AIO? I think my neighbors have been unalive in their home for 2 weeks.

Editor’s notes: added paragraph breaks for readability

Thanks to u/soayherder, u/queenlegolas, u/theprismaprincess, & u/Direct-Caterpillar77 for suggesting this BoRU

Trigger Warnings: possible abuse

Original Post: September 4, 2024

I’ll just start from the beginning. Going on 3 weeks ago my husband and I heard what we suspected was a gunshot at about 9pm on a Friday. We were concerned but nothing came of it really. For the last 2 weeks I have gradually paid more attention to the fact our neighbors have not seemed present, aside from their cars in the driveway.

First thing was the obvious overgrown grass. We have an HOA so this is really not something that just happens from time to time. Next, we noticed their cars have stayed parked in the driveway in the same backed in, staggered position. My husband and I come and go frequently so we should have definitely seen them leave, arrive, or even change the positioning of their cars, similar to the past.

Also, their (assumed) kitchen window is across from our bedroom window & I have noticed the light of that room is ALWAYS on. Morning, midday, night. It’s always on. Lastly, they did not take their trash this week. I know this doesn’t have to be done every single trash day, but I definitely noted that they hadn’t taken it to the street or even filled their outside can.

I contacted our local police dept and they came out. All accessible windows and doors were locked and unable to see inside. The officer noted he could hear what was obviously a tv, but no one answered & there was no obvious signs of people present. The officer told me to keep an eye out for any changes as well as no changes at all…

And that was it… I have tried to find the neighbor on social media to see if maybe they are on holiday, but I have absolutely no luck even finding any kind of profile.

Sooooo, could I be overreacting??

Edit: First, thank you all for your feedback, tips, and additional things to look out for.

To clarify a few things… dead yes. I think my neighbors are DEAD. Fuck. I didn’t realize so many people would be ill over seeing unalive. I blame myself for being half way into social media. Next, when I initially called the non-emergency line I did mention the supposed gunshot. I also mentioned it again when I spoke to the officer who came out. I SPECIFICALLY asked for a well-check when I called. As far as how the police handled it, not sure what I am supposed to do about that.

For clarification, we live in Texas. Gunshots and fireworks and random ass noises are not unheard of. When no other neighbors seemed to be concerned I chalked it up to someone fucking around… aside from that I posted on our ring app group and others were saying the possibility of fireworks was significant since they had been happening in neighborhoods near by. — we did knock on the door, different times throughout the day. No movement, no noises, no changes in lights. I did reach out to who I thought was our HOA, after hearing the story she informed me we’re actually under new management & gave me that number with urgency. Their office was closed for the day so I plan on trying again today. I will update when there is actual developments.

Relevant Comments

OOP on hearing ONE gunshot only

OOP: Yep, just one. And then radio silence on our street the rest of the night.

Commenter 1: This is really interesting. Can you think of anything else that is out of character for them? Mail piling up? Amazon packages left out? Garbage or flies buzzing anywhere?

OOP: Mailbox had mail and a small package inside when I looked to confirm the spelling of their names. No trash out, both outside cans have remained empty.

Redditors tell OOP to keep trying and find answers regarding the neighbors

OOP: My husband told me about a coworker that did a flip on a house that had a man dead in it for 3 years. He was retired and his bills were all on autopay. His only family was out of state. So I agree with you… only way to get answers is to keep looking/asking for answers.

OOP on what she knows about her neighbors and if they have families or friends around

OOP: Off of assumption, they are late 30’s, early 40’s. I know the lady works in healthcare. They either don’t have social media or don’t use their government name. Finding any family has been damn near impossible. As well as finding out if they are on holiday. Although they are quiet and keep to their self, as do we, there are things that are easy to notice. I.e. the trash not being by the curb, recycle not put out, and the grass being overgrown. All things I know are very routine for their household.

Actually, we were able to find out yesterday, via my husband having access to housing details (he’s a mortgage loan originator), that they are tenants and the owner of the house rents it out privately. We know his name but unfortunately, could not find any contact info.

Update: September 8, 2024

I’m sorry to keep you all waiting. I feel like I was in the twilight zone, y’all.

Turns out… my neighbors were NOT dead in their house next door. Basically where I left off; I was going to contact the correct HOA for our community. And I did. The lady I spoke with was kind of shit for help, until she realized she was able to see the owners name and had access to his email. She promptly emailed him after I expressed all of my concerns.

Now I’m not going to lie, I really had a moment where I thought maybe the landlord (owner of the house) had killed them. He came over to the house the day after I talked to HOA & wasn’t there long… He made sure to turn off the lights and TV.

Another 2 days went by and nothing more seemed to change … UNTIL all of sudden one of the cars in the driveway was gone! I was so confused. Eventually the car returned, however, still no one would answer the door. I’m thinking the landlord was putting on this facade because he knew someone was watching… (again, twilight zone here).

Anyway… a few more days go by and an extra car is parked on the road. A woman and children are leaving as I’m arriving home. So I call out to her and ask her if she’s spoken to the people who live there. She was the woman/neighbors sister & Turns out the woman that occupies the home was in a “horrible accident.” She was reluctant to give any details and honestly I didn’t want to pry so all I asked was if her partner was ok, to which she responded, “he will no longer be living here with her.” I thought that to be a bit odd since his car is still there. Jail maybe??

Anyway, the grass still hasn’t been cut and the trash still hasn’t been out. I’m not sure the state she is in so I’m considering offering to help her out or at the least take her a meal. But I’m also feeling insecure about the fact that I feel like a FUCKING IDIOT. How do I tell her I’m glad you’re not dead when she actually did almost die? 🥴

Relevant Comments

Commenter 1: Don’t feel badly. Obviously, something did happen. You just don’t know the details. I find it odd that the police didn’t seem to know what it was when they came and did the “welfare check” you described in your original post. I mean, if she had a “horrible accident” and he “no longer lives there,” it sounds like something the police might know about.

OOP: I thought this too! I live in a city with a HUGE police department so maybe things got lost in translation? If that’s even possible.

Commenter 2: He shot her maybe? And she in the hospital and he’s in jail? If you know his name google your city or county inmate list and search his name.

Commenter 3: Don’t feel badly. Obviously, something did happen. You just don’t know the details. I find it odd that the police didn’t seem to know what it was when they came and did the “welfare check” you described in your original post. I mean, if she had a “horrible accident” and he “no longer lives there,” it sounds like something the police might know about.

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