Freezer Remains Benefit Fraud
Juneau Police Close Investigation After Wife Hides Husband's Remains and Collects Benefits
Anonymous
Juneau police closed their investigation after determining Ross Pasquan, whose remains were found in a chest freezer in July 2026, died of natural causes related to severe cardiovascular disease. Investigators said his wife and caregiver, Sheryl McDonald-Pasquan, concealed his death, told others he had moved to an out-of-town care facility, and continued applying for and receiving his Social Security, retirement and Alaska Permanent Fund benefits. Police could not establish when Pasquan died or how much was collected; they believe his remains were placed in the freezer sometime between 2018 and 2025. McDonald-Pasquan died in July 2025, and investigators found no evidence anyone else caused Pasquan’s death or helped conceal his remains or obtain the benefits.
Key Points
1
Pasquan’s death was never reported, and no one reported him missing, police said. Investigators could not establish when he was last seen alive.
2
A retirement benefit provider continued depositing monthly payments into Pasquan’s account through July 2026, when his remains were found, because it had not been notified of his death.
3
Pasquan and his wife lived together at Switzer Village Mobile Home Park in the Lemon Creek area, where a family member found the freezer while clearing the property after her death.
4
The family member found a locked freezer in a storage shed, located its key, and saw what appeared to be human remains wrapped in a tarp before closing the freezer and contacting police.
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