AURORA, Colo. -- An unselfish act.

Family members of Karen Reed said she gave up her life to care for her daughter, Twannedia.

"She was completely devoted to caring for her," said Richard Reed, Karen's brother. "Twannedia couldn't care for herself at all."

The mother and daughter came to Colorado three decades ago for better health care, but family members say after Karen Reed suffered an apparent heart attack in their home, Twannedia was not able to get help for her mother or herself.

They said the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office told them Twannedia died two or three days later from dehydration, and it was 10 days before their bodies were discovered.

Aurora police had been called to investigate after neighbors reported a strange odor coming from the Aurora condo.

Police also found a miniature poodle dead inside the home.

Neighbors say Karen Reed and her daughter had lived there for years.

Their condominium association met to discuss the tragedy, and neighbors have made a decision to check on each other often.

"If I see somebody hasn't showed up in two or three days, I'm going to check on them, knock on their doors, see what's going on," said Claude Stepley, who lived near the Reeds for 11 years.

They say it is a fitting tribute to Karen Reed -- an unselfish act.