Police officers found a skeleton in the bed where an 80-year-old woman said her mother was sleeping. The officers will investigate. Police suspect the skeleton could be the remains of the woman's 98-year-old mother who disappeared more than three years ago. The officers had gone to serve a search warrant for building, housing and health code violations.

Rhode Island has become the first state to require cat owners to spay or neuter their pets, or obtain a breeder's license. Faced with climbing costs to euthanize stray animals, Gov. Don Carcieri signed legislation forcing cats older than six months to receive the procedures, or pay $100 for a license.

The owners of a South Carolina apartment complex say they'll allow residents to continue holding weekly Bible studies while they review whether the sessions violate the federal Fair Housing Act. The owners of Heritage Court had said the study violated the Fair Housing Act. The apartments are privately owned by One Management of Raleigh, North Carolina, but many residents have their rent subsidized by federal vouchers.

A woman's body, surrounded by wrapped Christmas presents, remained in her small London apartment for two years before anyone knew she was dead. Joyce Vincent was holding a shopping bag, The Telegraph reported. Food in her studio apartment was dated to be used before November 2003.