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Kingman woman suspected of stealing funds from missing ex-boyfriend

Authorities say a Kingman woman has been arrested for allegedly collecting about $50,000 in Social Security funds from her missing ex-boyfriend.

KINGMAN, Ariz. (AP) - A Kingman woman has been arrested for allegedly collecting about $50,000 in Social Security funds from her missing ex-boyfriend, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office.

On Tuesday, officials said the remains of an unidentified body had been found buried on the property of 57-year-old Mary Elizabeth Killen. The investigation is ongoing and a cause of death is still to be determined.

"It’s shocking," said Pamela Byrnes, who knew Killen and has lived in the neighborhood for five years. "Everybody was watching (Killen) to make sure nothing happened to her. If we’d see someone over there she’d wave to say everything is okay."

Neighbors say Killen lived by herself and described her as a nice and sweet person.

Sheriff's officials say Killen's ex-boyfriend hasn't been seen since 2010. His name wasn't immediately released.

"I asked her what happened to her boyfriend and she told me that he decided that they should break it off," said Janet Serafin, another neighbor who has lived in her home for 21 years.

Serfain's son regularly helped Killen with yard work and errands before they say she abruptly left her home in Decemeber 2014.

"(She) signed papers to my son telling him that all her possessions became his and he could do whatever he wanted with them," Serafin said.

MCSO says Killen is being held on suspicion of a felony count of theft.

Authorities say Killen was the girlfriend of the victim, who was considered a missing person as of last year.

They say Killen has admitted to using the victim's benefits for her own use.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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