California woman left homeless friend's body in car for months

A woman in Costa Mesa, California, who befriended a homeless woman and let her sleep in her car did not know what to do when the woman died — so she drove the body around for 10 months.

Police found the corpse after a call about a car blocking a drive. They saw a leg poking out from a blanket.

The partially mummified remains of the woman, believed to be in her fifties or sixties, consisted of mostly skin and bones, said Sergeant Ed Everett.

An autopsy showed no signs of foul play but police are still investigating the role of the car's driver, who is 57 and was living with friends.

She told officers the woman had died in December but was scared to go to police because she feared being accused over the death.

Police also found a box of baking soda in the car, which the driver had used to try to cover up the smell.