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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 Multimedia 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 8, 2007 'They cared so much for each other' Mother of man charged in freezer case describes couple's 35-year relationship By chris conrad Mail Tribune The mother of a Medford man accused of storing his longtime partner's body in a freezer for a year after he died of cancer described the couple as "devoted and loving." Eighty-seven-year-old Helen Mahanna spoke of the hardships she's endured since her son, Paul Henry Mahanna, was arrested last week after a construction crew found a body in a chest freezer in the garage of the home in the 1700 block of Fiona Lane. The body, which had been wrapped in duct tape, was that of 77-year-old William Blakely Richardson, who had succumbed to an aggressive form of bladder cancer in January 2006, police said. Medford detectives charged Paul Mahanna with two counts of identity theft and second-degree abuse of a corpse. They allege that he kept the death a secret so he could collect on Richardson's California pension and an insurance claim. Helen Mahanna, who lives in Santa Barbara, said her son has been portrayed unfairly by the media. She described a "kind and gentle" man who was forever devoted to his partner of 35 years. Advertisement "Paul took such extraordinary care of Bill during his illness," she said. "They cared so much for each other ... both were wonderful people." She refused to comment on the couple's background and the criminal case against Mahanna. She did say she had spoken to her son once since he was jailed, saying he "seemed like himself." Jackson County Medical Examiner Tim Pike said authorities believe Richardson's immediate family to be dead. He said detectives had tracked down Mahanna's family in California, who seemed to have "embraced William Richardson as one of their own." The details of Richardson's autopsy revealed that Mahanna must have taken great care when trying to preserve his partner's body. It had been placed in the freezer shortly after death because it showed almost no signs of decomposition, Pike said. "It was covered in bags and wrapped in five layers of duct tape," Oregon State Deputy Medical Examiner James Olson said. "It was carefully and meticulously done." 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 Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary