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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 2, 2007 Body in freezer leads to arrest Autopsy pending; construction crew finds duct tape-wrapped corpse, authorities say By chris conrad Mail Tribune A construction crew made a shocking discovery Wednesday, finding a corpse bound in duct tape stored inside a freezer at a south Medford home. Medford detectives arrested 58-year-old Paul Henry Mahanna, who lives at the house on Fiona Lane. He was charged with first-degree abuse of corpse and remained lodged in the Jackson County Jail late Thursday on $500,000 bail. "We may be adding some more charges against him," Medford police Lt. Tim George said. "We consider this a very suspicious death." The body, identified as being a male of unknown age, was taken to the Oregon State Police crime lab in Central Point. An autopsy is pending. The RBS Home Restoration workers who found the body were shaken by the ordeal, said owner Steve Hanlin. Advertisement "I don't think I can talk my guys into going back into that house," he said. The crew was called to the house two weeks ago to repair damage from burst water pipes. From the onset of the project Mahanna ordered them not to remove the seven-foot chest freezer from the garage, Hanlin said. They were nearly finished when a worker attempted to pry off a blanket that had frozen to the freezer lid. What he found inside sparked a brief debate amongst the crew members, Hanlin said. "At first we thought it might be a game animal," said Hanlin. "It was wrapped in so much duct tape that looked like a mummy." Soon, though, the realization set in and Hanlin gathered his crew and left the home without telling Mahanna. They immediately called the police. Detectives arrived and briefly questioned Mahanna before taking him into custody. They then searched the entire house, which sits in a small subdivision near South Columbus Avenue. Investigators removed the freezer and roped off the front door, George said. Mahanna has lived at the home with another man for a long time, George said. He would not comment on the other man's identity. "As far as cases go, this certainly is a weird one," George said. "I don't think we've ever had a body in a freezer before." The fact that the freezer was unlocked the whole time he and his workers were at the house amazed Hanlin. "We were in there for two weeks with other crews that were working on the heating," he said. "We couldn't believe how accessible the body was." Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help