BURLINGTON, Conn. — A recent foreclosure auction in this affluent Connecticut suburb took a grim turn when the winning bidder discovered three human bodies inside the property.

Edward Marchion purchased the four-bedroom, Cape Cod-style home in June for $525,000 without inspecting the interior, a common practice at foreclosure auctions where prospective buyers often cannot enter homes beforehand. When Marchion entered the house for the first time, he encountered skeletal remains, prompting a police investigation.

Connecticut State Police identified two of the bodies as former owners Sally Anne Cash, who would have been 54 years old, and her son Brian Cash, who was about to turn 23. The identity of the third occupant is pending confirmation through DNA testing, according to the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Sally Anne Cash had purchased the home in 2019 with her husband.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause or timing of the deaths but believe the incident to be isolated. The Cash family had stopped making mortgage payments in late 2024. Their bank initiated foreclosure proceedings in August of that year, but the family never responded to the complaint, and the house appeared abandoned, with overgrown vegetation and “keep out” signs posted shortly before the auction.

The property drew about two dozen bidders on June 8, with several rounds of bids before Marchion’s offer prevailed. The home, situated on more than two acres roughly 20 miles west of Hartford, was valued at approximately $650,000, making Marchion’s winning bid appear a notable bargain in a competitive housing market.

The court-appointed attorney overseeing the foreclosure process, Christopher Thogmartin, noted that the auction attracted various participants, including prospective homeowners, house flippers, and rental property investors. He expressed surprise that a property of this value and location was vacated, calling the circumstances surrounding the case unusual.

Marchion has requested a delay in closing the sale until the state police complete their investigation. The court is scheduled to review the motion.

This case highlights the risks associated with purchasing homes via foreclosure auctions. Buyers typically cannot access interiors due to legal protections allowing occupants to remain until foreclosure concludes. Common issues at such properties include disrepair, pest infestations, and vandalism. Occasionally, more unusual discoveries occur, such as abandoned pets or, as in this instance, human remains.

Across the country, foreclosure filings have risen in response to ongoing economic pressures, including increased housing costs. While still below peaks seen after the 2008 financial crisis, these filings reached a six-year high in early 2026. Foreclosed homes often sell at significant discounts, drawing interest from buyers willing to take on potential complications.

Local residents have expressed disbelief that no one had fully inspected the house before it went to auction. “It seemed like the type of thing where somebody would go into the house and at least make sure there are no dead bodies,” said lifelong Burlington resident Matt Turner.

State and local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the status of the residence prior to foreclosure.