Nursing School Graduate Found Decomposing in Apartment, Roommate Charged

Terrance Smith, 49, has been charged with abandonment of a corpse after the body of his roommate, Lawanda McGee, was discovered in their apartment.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 6:15pm

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The body of Lawanda McGee, a recent nursing school graduate, was found decomposing in her St. Louis apartment on January 21. Her roommate, Terrance Smith, has been charged with abandonment of a corpse after police believe he covered up McGee's death, which may have occurred around December 15.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the importance of community and family connections, as McGee's relatives became concerned when they had not heard from her for weeks. It also raises questions about mental health support and potential warning signs that may have been missed prior to the incident.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, police believe McGee may have died around December 15, and her roommate Terrance Smith covered her body with blankets and opened windows in an attempt to conceal the death. Smith was observed at the apartment the night before the body was discovered, and his personal items were found there.

  • McGee's last Facebook post was on December 15, 2025.
  • Neighbors had not seen McGee since mid-December 2025.
  • McGee's body was discovered on January 21, 2026.

The players

Lawanda McGee

A recent nursing school graduate and mother to a 13-year-old daughter.

Terrance Smith

McGee's 49-year-old roommate, who has been charged with abandonment of a corpse.

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What they’re saying

“She had just graduated from nursing school, so we were excited to see what she was preparing us for. Lawanda was just starting to get ahead of life when she passed away.”

— Ashley Barrett, McGee's sister (GoFundMe)

“[Smith] sat with her for 38 days and just walked past her every day. He covered her with blankets. He tried to air the place out so no one could smell it. She didn't deserve that.”

— Ashley Barrett, McGee's sister (KSDK)

What’s next

Police are awaiting toxicology results to determine McGee's cause of death. The judge will also decide on Terrance Smith's bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the importance of checking in on loved ones and the need for greater mental health support, as the circumstances surrounding McGee's death raise concerning questions about potential warning signs that may have been missed.