NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Authorities on Monday said they found a body during a welfare check at the condemned Seaview Lofts apartments in Newport News.
Back in July residents were given 48 hours to leave their homes because of safety concerns.
On Monday, police went to conduct a welfare check at the building and found someone dead in one of the apartments. They said the man died of natural causes.
There's no word on what the man was doing in the building. No one is allowed to live there right now.
Last week, one of the two elevators passed inspection. The air conditioner still needs a green light from a licensed mechanical engineer that it's capable of properly cooling the building. As of now, the hot water boiler inspection has not been scheduled.
News 3's Leondra Head spoke to one of the residents.
"To hear that someone was found in this building deceased and could have been in here for weeks is very disturbing," Nathan Robinson said.
Robinson had lived in the Seaview Lofts apartments for two and half years. He and other residents tell me the deceased man was a resident and lived on the 9th floor.
"I’m out here struggling to pay hotel bills, almost a thousand dollars a week while somebody was in this building. That’s not to be insensitive," Robinson said.
Robinson remains optimistic that things will be fixed as he waits to move back into his home.
"I have not lost hope. Hope is all I have. I want to get back to my home immediately because I’m struggling, financially devastated," Robinson said.
He says he’s shelled out thousands of dollars on hotels ever since the city of Newport News told residents they had to leave, nearly 3 months ago.
"I’m out here struggling to pay hotel bills."
Robinson says sometimes he has to sleep in his car.
"I’m hoping that the city opens this building up," Robinson said.
