Hoarders, Postal Edition: Mail Carrier Kept 13,000 Undelivered Items, Say Feds

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) Wonder why that utility bill you thought you paid was marked overdue?

The search for missing suburban Philadelphia postal worker David Blauser, who disappeared without a trace in April, turned up a secret stash of nearly 13,000 pieces of undelivered mail!

Federal authorities say that Blauser, 42, worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 14 years before suddenly leaving behind his wife, sons and his job carrying letters in Bustleton, Pa., and disappearing without warning April 23.

As family and investigators searched for Blauser they came across a stunning discovery, deep in the back of his garage. On April 28 searchers found 12,808 pieces of undelivered mail, some dating back to 1997, although the bulk of it had been hoarded after May 2007. None of the mail had been opened, according to the Philadelphia Enquirer.

It reportedly took three mail trucks to carry the stash of undelivered letters, bills, and packages, found hidden in trash bags, away from the home. All the mail was eventually delivered.

Blauser eventually got in touch with his wife and has since been arrested and charged with willfully obstructing the mail, a crime that carries a possible sentence of up to six months in prison, five years' probation and a $5,000 fine.