WZTV is reporting that the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office has identified two bodies found in a “bizarre” scene in Ashland City and authorities believe the deceased man was trying to keep the other person’s death a secret.

John M. Pendleton, 60, and Mildred Jones, 67, were identified as the bodies discovered on Friday. The two were first cousins. The sheriff’s office said Jones’ body was found in her bedroom and that she’d been dead for some time. Jones had reportedly been in poor health after suffering a series of strokes.

Pendleton’s body was found in the front yard and police believe, for unknown reasons, Pendleton tried to keep Jones’ death a secret. Authorities said there were attempts to mask the decomposing odor in the house and evidence suggests that Pendleton continued to sleep at the home while his dead cousin’s body was in her bedroom. Jones was last seen by friends and neighbors before Christmas, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office said Pendleton had been seen within the last week coming and going from the home in his vehicle.

Both causes of death are undetermined pending toxicology tests. but the sheriff’s office said. preliminary findings revealed no foul play was involved.