Cops find 31 decomposing bodies hidden at funeral home
Police uncovered a disturbing scene at a funeral home after they found decomposing bodies and 17 sets of cremated remains were found on the site.
Randy Lankford, owner of Lankford Funeral Home and Family Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana faced 43 counts of felony theft for failing to complete the funeral services he was paid for.
The investigation was initiated in July 2022 when the county coroner's office reported a strong odor coming from the funeral home.
Upon entering the building, police were confronted with a grim sight—unrefrigerated bodies in various states of decomposition, some of which had been there some five months.
Lankford is facing multiple lawsuits from people whose loved ones were among the bodies or cremated remains (wave3)Further inspection revealed that three out of the four air conditioners in the facility were not functioning, exacerbating the already distressing situation.
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Multiple body bags were stored in different rooms, with some bodies left unattended for an extended period.
Lankford, now facing 43 counts of felony theft, had accepted payment for funeral services that he failed to complete.
As a result, he is now confronted with multiple lawsuits from individuals who discovered their loved ones among the decomposing bodies or cremated remains found at the funeral home last July.
Authorities uncover 31 decomposing bodies and 17 sets of cremated remains hidden at an Indiana funeral home (Google Maps)One couple, in a civil complaint filed recently, claimed that Lankford had sent them a plastic box purportedly containing their daughter's remains in June.
Heartbreakingly, they later learned that their daughter had not been cremated at all but was among the decomposing bodies discovered at Lankford's business.
The lawsuit alleges negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract on Lankford's part.
Despite the anguish caused by his actions, Derrick Kessinger, who entrusted Lankford with the cremated remains of three loved ones, expressed forgiveness and hope for Lankford's redemption.
Prosecutor Jeremy Mull addressing the court (wave3)"It's been tough, but I do forgive him for what he did," Mr Kessinger said.
"I hope he can find forgiveness."
Mr Kessinger eventually received the cremated remains of his loved ones
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Lankford entered a guilty plea for 43 counts of theft, each related to property valued between $750 (£607) and $50,000 (£40,500), according to court records in Clark County.
The proposed sentence, as outlined by Clark County Circuit Court Judge N. Lisa Glickfield, includes four years in prison and eight years of home incarceration. In addition, Lankford is obligated to pay $46,000 (£37,259) in restitution to 53 affected families.
Following the hearing, Lankford was released to home incarceration pending a formal sentencing hearing scheduled for June 23.
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