I'd recently purchased a duplex. Offer was accepted September 10th and closed the deal October 27th. One of the units had VERY NASTY TENANTS living in it who were very dirty (roaches, fleas, bed bugs, never cleaned, broken windows/doors, etc.). These characters vacated the property (thankfully) about 3 weeks prior to closing. When they did, they of course took the utilities out of their name, thus leaving the unit with no electricity. They'd also left food in the refrigerator. By the time the previous owner went to check on the unit, the refrigerator was overrun with mold and a horrible stench. Previous owner cleaned and bleached the inside of the refrigerator, however, the freezer still has a mildew smell.

My thoughts are that mold spores had traveled through the entire refrigerator when the electricity was turned back on and the fan resumed running. So my question is -- have any of you experienced anything similar? Any hope in salvaging this refrigerator? 

Thanks!

I would buy another one whether used or new and give the other one away.

Yes, go for it.

Don't overthink small decisions or you will drive yourself nuts (and take time from figuring out how to grow your wealth).

Yeah, going to get rid of the old and bring in a new. Thanks for the replies.