In Massachusettes, it's illegal to abandon pets. So, when this person died, whoever allowed her pets out, or to continue to roam free, should be charged with abandonment. Because it's a subsidized housing property, it may be owned by the city, ergo, the city should be fined $500.00 (not sure, but I believe that is the fine) times 7 cats.
Will the ACO follow up on this. Highly doubt it. Will MSPCA? They have bigger cases to deal with. No one is going to see the rightful person punished for letting these poor cats go. The owner likely had no caring family... who knows. This must happen so much with the elderly who have no one who cares about their pets...