Cape Coral, Florida — A Florida woman entrusted with caring for her longtime friend is accused of secretly moving the woman’s body into a nature preserve, covering the remains with brush and then reporting her missing, according to investigators.
Lori Hamilton, 60, is facing a charge of disturbing a dead body in connection with the death of Brenda Corbin, 58, whose remains were discovered several days after Hamilton claimed her friend had simply walked away from home.
Caregiver Reported Friend Missing
According to a probable cause affidavit, Hamilton reported Corbin missing on May 20, 2025, from a home in Cape Coral. Hamilton allegedly told investigators that she believed Corbin had walked away during the middle of the night.
The two women had known each other for years, and Hamilton had power of attorney over Corbin. Corbin had dementia and had previously lived in an assisted living facility.
Earlier that month, Hamilton had taken Corbin out of the facility in Tampa to attend a celebration of life for a mutual friend. Investigators said Hamilton ultimately decided not to return Corbin to the facility because she was unhappy with the level of care.
Instead, Hamilton reportedly prepared a bedroom for Corbin in her own home.
Investigators Questioned Her Account
When detectives asked where Corbin might have gone, Hamilton allegedly suggested that she could have been with a man who had previously “held her against her will for four days.”
Investigators said Hamilton was unable to provide clear details about what she and Corbin had done during the days immediately before the disappearance.
According to the affidavit, Hamilton said they had gone out but could not remember where they went or what they did. Detectives also noted that Hamilton did not appear particularly concerned about Corbin’s disappearance.
In the days afterward, Hamilton allegedly posted on Facebook asking for help moving furniture from her home but did not mention that her longtime friend was missing.
Police said she also did not make calls or conduct a search for Corbin.
Vehicle Data Led Police to Nature Preserve
Investigators began examining surveillance and electronic data for clues.
Neighbors told detectives they had not recently seen Corbin, while doorbell cameras that normally captured the women walking their dog did not show the pair on the night Hamilton claimed Corbin disappeared.
Police then examined license plate reader data from Hamilton’s pickup truck as well as location information from her phone.
According to investigators, the truck was detected in the Fort Myers and Punta Gorda areas during the early morning hours of May 19, 2025.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., Hamilton’s vehicle was reportedly near Babcock Ranch Preserve. A motion-activated trail camera also captured a pickup truck in the area around the same time.
Hamilton allegedly told investigators she had been there to check on her horses. However, police noted that license plate cameras had not previously detected her vehicle in that area.
When detectives confronted her with the location information, they said her demeanor changed and she stopped cooperating.
Body Found Covered With Brush
On May 23, 2025, investigators discovered a badly decomposed body hidden beneath brush along an access road inside the nature preserve.
The remains were identified as Brenda Corbin. Police said they found drag marks in the grass leading from the edge of the road toward where the body was discovered.
Because of the advanced decomposition, an autopsy was unable to determine Corbin’s cause or manner of death. Investigators also said animal activity had removed the body’s lower leg and part of the left arm.
Police Say Evidence Pointed Back to Hamilton
After notifying Hamilton that Corbin had died, investigators described her reaction as unusual. According to the affidavit, Hamilton looked down and slowly backed into her home before shutting the door in officers’ faces.
Police seized Hamilton’s pickup truck, and K-9s allegedly detected the odor of human remains inside. Investigators also reportedly found Corbin’s Social Security card and medications in the truck.
Hamilton allegedly refused to provide investigators access to her phone and was described as uncooperative during other interactions.
During a recorded phone conversation with one of Corbin’s adult children, Hamilton denied killing her.
“I haven’t killed your mom. I would never,” she reportedly said.
Daughter Says She Never Suspected Hamilton
Corbin’s daughter, Heather Bliss, told local media that she was shocked by her mother’s death. Bliss said Hamilton had appeared to be a good friend to her mother, making the allegations particularly difficult to process.
She also said Hamilton’s behavior after Corbin disappeared raised concerns.
“If my best friend went missing, I’d be posting it all over Facebook. I’d be doing everything I could,” Bliss said.
Hamilton was arrested last week and remains held at the Charlotte County Jail on $6,000 bond. Her next court date is scheduled for September 8.
The allegations against her have not been proven in court, and the investigation into Corbin’s death remains ongoing.
What do you think about the evidence investigators say they uncovered in this case? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
