Caretaker charged after elderly woman found dead in Springfield home

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The caretaker of an elderly woman whose body was found inside her Springfield home will now face charges nearly four months after the discovery.

On Nov. 6, 2025, the Sangamon County Coroner responded to 86-year-old Lillie Prindle's address in Springfield at the Springfield Police Department's request.

The family had requested that Adult Protective Services and SPD perform a wellness check.

When police entered the home, they found Prindle dead inside. Springfield police said she had been dead for a long time before her body was discovered.

The coroner said her body was in an "advanced state of decomposition," but could still be identified.

An autopsy was done the following day. The coroner said there was no evidence of injury or trauma. Prindle's death is still under investigation.

Court records show that her caretaker, Gena English-Wheat, was charged with concealment of death.

English-Wheat was granted pre-trial release and is due back in court on March 12.