Twin brothers whose decomposing remains were found in recliner chairs in their Chattanooga home earlier this year died from heart disease and diabetes, authorities said Wednesday.
Results of autopsies and toxicology examinations released by the Chattanooga Police Department show Anthony Larry Johnson died as a result of arteriosclerotic heart disease. Shortly afterward, his twin, Andrew Gary Johnson, died of diabetes mellitus.
Andrew Johnson had been relying on his brother to monitor glucose levels and insulin dosage because he was disabled and had severe vision problems, said Officer Tim McFarland, Chattanooga police spokesman. So when Anthony Johnson died, his brother could not treat his illness, and he died too.
The exact time between the brothers’ deaths was not immediately released.
The skeletal remains of the 63-year-old twins were found in their home on March 29. Police went to the home after being asked to check on the brothers by a relative who had a key. Officers found the bodies sitting in recliners in the living room. Officials said their conditions suggested both men had been dead since 2011.