Lawanda McGee, a recent nursing graduate and mother, was found decomposing in her St. Louis apartment on Jan. 21 after family and building staff requested a welfare check. Police believe she may have died around Dec. 15, 2025; neighbors had not seen her since mid-December and her last social post was Dec. 15. Her roommate, 49-year-old Terrance Smith, has been charged with abandonment of a corpse and was arrested Feb. 2 with bond set at $100,000. Authorities are awaiting toxicology results as the investigation continues.
Missouri Nursing Graduate Found Dead in Apartment; Roommate Charged With Abandonment of a Corpse
Lawanda McGeeGoFundMe
Lawanda McGee, a recent nursing school graduate and mother of a 13-year-old daughter, was found deceased and decomposing in her St. Louis apartment on Jan. 21 after a welfare check was requested by family members and building staff.
What Authorities Say
St. Louis County police entered the Dragonwyck Drive apartment after McGee's cousin and the building manager asked officials to check on her welfare, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by People. Investigators say neighbors had not seen McGee since mid-December, and her last Facebook post was dated Dec. 15, 2025. Police believe McGee may have died on or around that date.
Lawanda McGee.GoFundMe
Allegations Against Roommate
Authorities have charged McGee's 49-year-old roommate, Terrance Smith, with abandonment of a corpse. The complaint alleges Smith was observed at the apartment the night before officers discovered McGee and that his personal items remained in the unit. Family members told local reporters that Smith covered McGee's body with blankets and opened windows in the apartment after her death.
"[Smith] sat with her for 38 days and just walked past her every day. He covered her with blankets. He tried to air the place out so no one could smell it," McGee's sister, Ashley Barrett, told KSDK. "She didn't deserve that."
Arrest, Bond And Next Steps
Smith returned to the apartment complex on Feb. 2; staff alerted police, and he was arrested that day. His bond was set at $100,000. St. Louis County authorities are awaiting toxicology results to determine McGee's official cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Terrance SmithSt. Louis County Justic Center
Family And Community Response
Family members have mourned McGee as a young mother who had just completed nursing school. A GoFundMe page was created to assist with funeral costs and to provide support for McGee's 13-year-old daughter. Relatives said they only realized something was wrong after not hearing from McGee for weeks and after relatives and building staff asked for a welfare check.
Sources: St. Louis County police criminal complaint, family statements, KSDK and People.
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