19 October 2023 , 10:04
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Nearly 200 decaying bodies were found at a “green” funeral home after neighbours complained of a sour, rotten smell.
Police initially found the remains of 115 bodies inside the Return to Nature Funeral Home facility in rural southern Colorado on October 6. Now, as details of the gruesome discovery emerge, it's been confirmed that the human remains of "at least 189 individuals" were stored inside the building.
The funeral home performed “green” burials without embalming chemicals or metal caskets. All of the bodies were removed from the funeral home in Penrose on October 13 and transported to El Paso County Coroner's Office.
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The Colorado Bureau of Investigation are leading the investigation and have said "the total number of decedents could change as the identification and investigative processes continue". Investigators are now trying to identify the deceased individuals and notify their families.
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“We are conducting extensive coordination efforts as we focus on the identification of the decedents and provide notifications to ensure the families are given accurate information to prevent further victimisation as they continue to grieve their loved ones,” said Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller.
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Ceighbors complained of a sour, rotten smell coming from the funeral home (AP)"While the investigation for this incident continues, we also remain focused on the impacted families,” Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper added. “We want to do all we can to provide the families the support they need as we shift to the next phase in this process.”
The facility in the small town of Penrose had been unregistered with the state for 10 months when owner Jon Hallford spoke by phone with a state regulator the day after the smells were reported and police launched an investigation. Hallford acknowledged that he had a “problem” at the property, though the Colorado Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration document obtained by The Associated Press didn't explain what Hallford meant with his taxidermy claim or how he tried to conceal improper storage of human remains.
Sheriff Cooper confirmed earlier this month that funeral home officials were cooperating as investigators sought to determine any criminal wrongdoing. “Without providing too much detail to avoid further victimising these families there, the funeral home where the bodies were improperly stored was horrific,” he said
The facility in the small town of Penrose had been unregistered with the state for 10 months (AP)Some identifications would require taking fingerprints, finding medical or dental records and DNA, Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller said. “This could take several months. As we identify each decedent, families will be notified as soon as absolutely possible,” Keller said.
Family members who have used the funeral home are being asked to contact investigators. Under Colorado law, green burials are legal but state code requires that any body not buried within 24 hours must be properly refrigerated. No one has been arrested or charged yet in relation to the grim discovery.