STRANGER MOVES IN, REDECORATES, WHILE WOMAN ON VACATION

CNN Friday, October 22, 2004 Posted: 4:10 PM EDT

DOUGLASVILLE, Georgia (AP) -- A woman came home from vacation to find a stranger living there, wearing her clothes, changing utilities into her name and even ripping out carpet and repainting a room she didn't like, authorities said.

Douglas County authorities say they can't explain why Beverly Valentine, 54, broke into an empty home and started acting like it was her own.

During the 21/2 weeks the owner, Beverly Mitchell, was on vacation in Greece, Valentine allegedly redecorated the ranch home, ripping up carpet and taking down the owner's pictures and replacing them with her own.

Mitchell was a complete unknown to Valentine, said Chief Sheriff's Deputy Stan Copeland. He said he had no idea how Valentine knew Mitchell was gone

I read this story. Talk about bizarre. She even brought in her own washer and dryer.

I came home once from a trip early to find some other guy took up residency with my ex wife...

I didn't call the cops.. I just handed him the house bills, electric, gas, credit cards etc... and walked out

Hog

What I don't get is that the home owner, apparently, didn't have someone come to check on her house while she was gone, FOR TWO AND A HALF WEEKS! Jeez.

Here is a more complete account. Amazing!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2004-10-22-squatter_x.htm 

I know coincidences happen, but I find it hard to believe that a stranger could spontaneously pick a house with which she could have 20 days to remodel.