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Woman dies before house next door is torn down

Posted at 6:37 PM, Jun 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-01 18:37:47-04

An elderly woman living in fear because of the house next door had wished one wish and that was for the vacant eyesore to be torn down.

Sadly, the 87-year-old passed away without her wish being granted.

Julia Ann Phillips had lived in her house on Cadillac Boulevard for more than 30 years. She loved her house and loved the neighborhood, until people started moving out. 

When the house next door became vacant, it wasn’t long before metal thieves started tearing it apart. Once stripped, it sat vacant and came a constant concern for the elderly woman.

7 Action News first told Ms. Phillips story two years ago. The home is now owned by the Detroit Land Bank Authority. 

Due to the location, federal funds can’t be used to tear down the house. 

The land bank put the house up for auction, but has yet to find a suitable owner.

Click on the video player to watch Ronnie Dahl’s full report

Have a story for Ronnie? Send her an email at ronnie.dahl@wxyz.com.