‘Squatter’s’ bizarre excuse for living in half-million-dollar Colorado home without paying rent for a year after owner died without a will

A woman who claims not to be a squatter has been living in a half-million dollar home in Colorado for over a year without paying rent.

Mecca Busey had been living in Lakewood in a 102-year-old home worth about $482,000 since the previous homeowner, who had no will, died in January 2023.

Although she is not on the lease, Busey said 9News that instead of a written lease, she has an “oral lease” with the homeowner’s granddaughter, who told her she can live in the home rent-free.

Records showed that the granddaughter, whose name has not been given, left home shortly before her grandfather died to live in an institution for people with disabilities.

The granddaughter could possibly be the heir to the property and now she wants Busey to leave the house.

When asked if she is a squatter, Busey said: “Absolutely not, I’m not a squatter.”

Busey said the former owner’s granddaughter told her she could stay in the house if she made renovations to it. The previous owner passed away and had no will

Busey said her husband used to work for the deceased homeowner and the granddaughter agreed to let her live there if she made improvements to the house, with plans to purchase the property from her later.

The disabled granddaughter is considered a ‘vulnerable adult’, who may not have the mental capacity to make such a decision, according to court and police records.

Busey claims she has invested more than $200,000 in renovation work on the house, including clearing the garden and redecorating the kitchen.

“That’s what I’m saying, I actually thought I was going to get the house or I wouldn’t have,” Busey said.

She added that she felt completely blindsided by the granddaughter’s request to leave the property.

“I come here and I make it look nice, and all of a sudden they want me out without even coming to talk to me,” Busey said.

“I mean, this was a total sideways move.”

Records show neighbors have made accusations and called police on Busey several times over the past year.

Busey claims she invested more than $200,000 in renovations to the house (Photo: The before and after of the house’s lawn after Busey cleaned it up)

“That’s what I’m saying, I actually thought I was going to get the house or I wouldn’t have,” Busey said. (Photo: The before and after of the home’s kitchen after Busey’s renovation)

Lakewood police responded to the home 19 times for complaints of code violations, “unwanted party,” trespassing and harassment, 9News reported.

In response to the neighbors’ claims, Busey said: “They are saying things that are completely untrue. There has been no criminal activity here.’

Busey said she “absolutely” regrets not getting a written lease for the house.

In Colorado, oral leases can legally exist, but they only last less than a year. Verbal leases are also more difficult to prove in court, requiring the argument to be based on the credibility of the witnesses.

Busey has at least two convictions for identity theft in the state.

In 2020, she was arrested after being found in a vehicle with IDs, bank account papers and tax forms belonging to “up to 40 different identities,” court records showed.

Busey has at least two felony convictions in the state, both for identity theft. According to her social media accounts, Busey is a Retail Merchandiser at SAS Retail Services

At the time of that arrest, Busey was on parole for a previous felony conviction.

When confronted about her criminal history, Busey said she is not stealing anyone’s identity at this time, and that she is who she says she is.

“This has nothing to do with that, and yes, I served my time, so I have no problem talking about it,” Busey said.

According to her LinkedIn, Busey is a Retail Merchandiser at SAS Retail Services.

She said she will leave the house if she is legally forced to leave, but for now she plans to fight for the house.

Busey said, “If things change and I can get the house, then absolutely, yes. I want the house.’

The Jefferson County judicial system has appointed a special administrator for the case, who will help find out who owns the house.