Neighbors say they had suspicions about man whose wife's remains were found hidden in N.Y. home after 27 years

(AP) POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Neighbors say they had suspicions about James Nichols, a man who lived in an upstate New York home with his wife's remains hidden for 27 years.

A contractor cleaning out the debris-filled house in Poughkeepsie found the skeletal remains of JoAnn Nichols on Friday behind a false wall.

Neighbors described James Nichols as a detached, anti-social hoarder who would stand in his yard and stare into space. One neighbor says he once saw Nichols driving with a mannequin wearing a hat in the front seat.

Nichols reported his wife, JoAnn, missing on Dec. 21, 1985. Officials say she died from a blow to the head.

James Nichols died of natural causes in December at the age of 82.

Complete coverage of JoAnn Nichols on Crimesider