Sickening images reveal the inside of a hoarder’s home that has been plaguing a plush San Diego street for a decade.
Investigators said they were shocked at the disgusting home owned by Lisa Golden, which was filled with trash piled several feet high, rotting food and a rat infestation.
‘Words cannot adequately describe the condition of the master toilet,’ added City Inspector Justin Welker, in court documents related to the ongoing dispute about the squalid property.
Golden was in civil court this week as her neighbors seek to have a court-appointed cleanup at the home, which they say they have been battling for more than 10 years.
Sickening images reveal the inside of a hoarder’s home that has been plaguing a plush San Diego street for a decade.
Investigators said they were shocked at the disgusting home owned by Lisa Golden, which was filled with trash piled several feet high, rotting food and a rat infestation
An investigator who looked through the home said ‘words cannot adequately describe’ the horrific state Golden had left her master bathroom in
Golden was in civil court this week as her neighbors seek to have a court-appointed cleanup at the home, which they say they have been battling for more than 10 years
When investigators entered the home amid the ongoing court battle, Welker said they were struck by the rancid smell of rotting food and mold.
He said there were signs of rat infestations throughout the house, and although the home had electricity, he couldn’t tell if it had running water as the sinks and toilets were blocked by huge piles of trash.
In the bathroom, he said that ‘words cannot adequately describe’ the horror scenes.
‘It was smeared with brown filth, and the stall floor covered in trash, including approximately a dozen used toilet paper rolls and a pile of what appeared to be crumpled up, used toilet paper,’ Welker wrote.
‘In the bathroom and master bedroom, the smell of rotting food and mold was again present.’
Neighbors have said that her overgrown backyard is more than just an eyesore, as it infringes on their property and poses a fire threat.
In his report, Welker found the yard was a fire hazard, as ‘dead palm fronds were piled up and spread around the walkways and ground and hanging from tall palm trees overhanging onto neighboring properties.’
Neighbors say the hoarder home’s overgrown yard poses a fire threat to their properties
An investigator said he couldn’t determine if the home had running water as the sinks and toilets were blocked by so much trash
Trash inside the home is piled up to four feet high
Officials said the whole home is filled with the stench rotting food and mold
Officials added that the home has a rat infestation
‘The inground pool was partially filled with green water, presumably algae, which is a potential breeding ground for vectors, such as mosquitos,’ he continued.
‘Several large, filled plastic bags were perched on some kind of platform or furniture item. Walkways were covered with lumber, logs, dried vegetation, plastic containers, and other random items.
‘Prior to leaving, we saw three dead rats on the ground directly behind Golden’s house.’
Golden told CBS8 that contractors damaged her home when it was subjected to a state-ordered cleaning in 2021, and has filed numerous lawsuits.
Neighbors also accused Golden of harassing them for years, and some reportedly have restraining orders out against her.
Tensions boiled over in footage captured by the outlet as Golden was seen in a furious argument with a neighbor on the street of their cul-de-sac, where homes routinely sell for over $1 million.
Locals say they have struggled to stop the hoarding for so long because Golden continues to delay court proceedings.
On Friday, a hearing was intended to decide upon sending a court-appointed receiver to clean the property, however Golden requested a continuance as she claimed she couldn’t get in contact with her attorney.
In response, prosecutors said it was just another delay tactic, and CBS8 reported that she has often represented herself in other hearings.
Prosecutors added that when they contacted the man Golden said was her attorney, he claimed to not be representing her.
‘This case has gone on far too long, the conditions are far too serious to allow it to continue any further,’ Deputy City Attorney David Miller said.
Neighbors say they have been trying to clean up the squalid home for over a decade
Mounds of clothes lay out in the home bedroom
Golden claimed in the hearing that she suffers from health issues and mental health challenges.
One of Golden’s neighbors who is seeking to clean up the squalid home, Eddie Mead, said: ‘The delays and continuances are very disappointing.’
‘This is the way she stretches it out, months after months. Usually it’s an appeal after appeal.’
Golden could not be reached for comment.