The Niles Police Department has released the names of a father and daughter found dead in their home this week. Police say 81-year-old Albert Bivins and 55-year-old Patricia Bivens were found in their home in the 600 block of Woodruff Street on Wednesday evening. Officers were called to the house to do a welfare check after neighbors noticed a large amount of snow piled up on a car in the driveway. No one answered the door, but officers could see Albert Bivens lying on the couch deceased. Upon going inside, police also found Patricia Bivens dead. The temperature in the home was below 32 degrees, although there was working electricity and gas. Autopsies were performed at Western Michigan University on Friday and a time and cause of death could not be determined. Police say the initial conclusion is that there was no foul play as the deaths were not violent. They believe the deaths were accidental, but note more lab tests will be done in the coming weeks.
