Woman allegedly strangled mom, wrapped body in plastic bags and left it in locked closet

HANFORD, Calif. (TCD) -- A 37-year-old woman was arrested last week after her mother was found dead, locked in a closet, and wrapped in plastic bags.

According to a statement, on May 18, at 2:09 p.m., the victim’s neighbor contacted the Hanford Police Department and asked them to conduct a welfare check on the elderly woman’s house because she had not seen the victim "in a couple of weeks." Police went to the home and entered in order to check on the victim.

Police said they "found a deceased elderly female locked in a closet" not long after they entered.

The victim, who KFSN-TV identified as 67-year-old Peggi Yingling, had reportedly "been deceased for an extended amount of time and there was evidence to show the deceased had not died of natural causes." The statement said Yingling was enveloped in plastic bags and "there were signs of strangulation."

Detectives learned the victim’s daughter, Kelli Yingling, also lived in the same home. She allegedly shared information that connected her to the killing. Kelli Yingling was arrested earlier this month on unrelated charges, but she is now being charged with murder and multiple counts of causing injury to an elder.

According to KFSN, Kelli Yingling had a previous conviction of elder abuse and was on probation.