Autopsy: Adult son with autism starved

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - New and disturbing details are emerging after Target 8 pushed for more information regarding the alleged starvation death of a 25-year-old Van Buren County man with autism.  

Chad Jackson's mother Yodi Jackson was charged two weeks ago with second-degree murder in connection to his summer 2011 death

Soon after she was charged with the death of her son, friends and neighbors of Yodi Jackson told 24 Hour News 8 the charges -- which came after a year-long investigation -- didn't make any sense. They shared photos of a seemingly happy family and said Jackson had always been a good mom to her son despite the challenges that come with autism.

But court documents, including a transcript from a hearing to determine whether there was enough evidence to arrest Jackson for her son's death, painted a much different picture.

A Michigan State Police sergeant told a Van Buren County magistrate the victim was found dead in his bed in the Grand Junction home he shared with his mother. Yodi Jackson wasn't home at the time. Her live-in boyfriend found Chad's body.

A trooper noticed fecal material all over the carpet and walls and a horrible odor.

The victim's doctor told investigators he had ordered blood tests when he became concerned about the amount of weight Chad had lost -- but Yodi Jackson never had those tests done.

An autopsy revealed Chad died as a result of malnutrition and dehydration.

Yodi Jackson is due back in court in mid August for a hearing to determine if there's enough evidence for her to stand trial in the death of her son.