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On Wednesday, federal prosecutors in St. Louis charged a Salem, Missouri
felon with concealing his uncle's death to steal at least $650,000 in disability benefits.

Brian Ditch, 44, is accused of keeping his dead uncle, a U.S. Army veteran
with quadriplegia, in a garbage can, as he continued collecting money.

Ditch is indicted with 11 counts, including four felony counts of wire
fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of theft of government property and one count of being a felon in possession of a
firearm.

He has multiple prior convictions, including burglary and domestic
battery.

According to court documents, Ditch was solely responsible for his uncle's
care since 2008 in Salem.

Documents said the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rated his uncle,
Thomas Clubb, as having a 100% service-connected disability based on his dementia and his inability to control his bowels or use his hands and
feet.

Angie Crowder spoke to 5 On Your Side Wednesday evening. Clubb is her
uncle and Ditch is her cousin.

Crowder said her uncle was paralyzed in a car crash in Germany while he
was serving. She believes he was about 19 years old.

Clubb received $9,559 per month in Disability Compensation benefits from
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the indictment explained. Club
also received a total of $235,210 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Retirement Insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration since 2008.

Instead of using veteran disability benefits to take care of him, Ditch is accused of leaving his uncle in the garage, forced to sit in his own urine
and feces without the ability to eat or drink.

Documents said the defendant imprisoned Clubb and beat him.

It said, "To execute his scheme to defraud, the defendant not only
assaulted his quadriplegic uncle, but he also physically and emotionally
abused his kids and significant others."

It added on by saying the defendant would regularly hit and threaten his
kids if they would try to see or speak with their uncle.

Documents say Ditch eventually told some relatives that he had moved his
uncle into a nursing home.

Investigators believe it was around 2019 when Clubb died and Ditch hid his
body in a shed behind the home.

After his death, documents say Ditch continued collecting money to buy
exotic reptiles and fund lavish vacations.

Between January 2019 to March 2025, Ditch is accused of stealing $650,000.

According to court documents, on March 5, the Salem Police Department
received a call for service from the state's health department regarding a hotline tip.

5 On Your Side learned it was a family member who called, saying they had
not heard from Thomas Clubb in years.

On or about March 7, documents show Ditch told Salem police officers that
his uncle left his residence years ago with another caretaker.

Officers shared that on March 21, officers found Clubb's body partially
frozen, wrapped in a trash bag and stuffed inside a garbage can in the
shed.

Dent County coroner told 5 On Your Side he's still waiting for DNA results
but believes the cause of death will most likely be undetermined based on
the state of decomposition of the body.

Crowder said the last time she saw her uncle was in 2018 when she went to
visit Clubb in Salem.

"Things seemed normal, he looked healthy and fine," added Crowder.

Crowder is in shock, still trying to gather her thoughts and emotions. She never thought Brian would do this.

Crowder and her family created shirts that say "Justice for Tom Clubb."

This photo below is Crowder's profile picture in support of her uncle.

She said her uncle was family-oriented, liked to talk, and loved to read
the newspaper.

After some time, Crowder, along with other family members, started asking questions and called the VA and nursing homes looking for Crowder. But
then they got a call from a detective.

5 On Your Side asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman if he's ever
covered a case like this in his 10 years.

His response, "No. This case is one of a kind."

He continued by telling 5 On Your Side, "This is an abhorrent
reprehensible crime, a crime committed against a family member, a veteran. Somebody without the use of their arms and legs, it's a disturbing and
flagrant lack of regard for human life."

Crowder told 5 On Your Side they are waiting for Clubb's body to be
released to have a funeral.

Clubb will be put to rest next to his mom and dad.

Ditch is back in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Friday. Ditch is also indicted by the state with six counts, including the abandonment of a
corpse.

For the Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-0210.

The Department of Veterans Affairs also has an investigation office. The
Office of Inspector General (OIG) works to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of VA programs and operations. For their hotline
information, click here.

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/missouri-man-hid-disabled-veteran- death-steal-benefits/63-446554c8-cf6a-4d5c-b55d-1f6cc751b82a

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