Praying for Corpse in Bathroom

(Mauston, Wisconsin) A 58-year-old religious leader, Alan Bushey (aka Bishop John Peter), pleaded no contest today to hiding a rotting corpse. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped charges of causing mental harm to a child and theft.

Prosecutors have said Bushey, also known as Bishop John Peter, led a religious community called the Order of the Divine Will. Investigators said a 90-year-old member of the group, Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth, lived with member Tammy Lewis and her children. [...]

Lewis kept Middlesworth’s remains propped up on the toilet after Middlesworth died in March 2008, court records said. She told investigators Bushey told her to leave Middlesworth’s body in the bathroom and pray for God to bring her back to life.

But investigators contend Bushey and Lewis kept the body hidden so they could go on collecting Middlesworth’s Social Security checks and annuities, and this traumatized Lewis’ children.

Bushey will be sentenced on May 5 when he faces a possible 10 years in prison. Lewis was fined $350 in November for obstructing a police officer.