HERKIMER, N.Y. -- A Herkimer man is accused of concealing the corpse of his wife, who police believe died from natural causes.

Officers were called on Wednesday afternoon to a home on West Lake Avenue for a welfare call. Inside, they found 53-year-old Lorraine Howard's body on the kitchen floor. 

"It was really a neighbor inquiry, not necessarily a complaint, but they were concerned for the occupants of the home and that's what led the Herkimer Police to even respond there so I think the neighbors did a great job in looking out for each other," said Herkimer County District Attorney Jeff Carpenter.

Her husband, 58-year-old Richard Howard was brought in for questioning and ultimately charged with concealment of a human corpse. 

An autopsy was conducted Thursday. The cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia, sometime between January 28th and February 21st. Toxicology reports are still pending.

Police say there is no reason to believe there was foul play, but wouldn't go into detail about why Richard may have done it.

"He was in quite an emotional state, again not going to discuss his remorsefulness or lack thereof, if there was. He was forthcoming with us. He cooperated with the investigation," said Herkimer Police Chief Michael Jory.

Howard was arraigned and is being held on $15,000 cash bail in the Herkimer County Jail.