Return to Nature Funeral Home.Photo:Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP
Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP
The married owners of a Colorado funeral home wherenearly 200 decaying bodieswere allegedly found improperly stored in early October have been arrested and charged.
In apress releaseon Wednesday, the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced that Jon Hallford and Carie Hallford were arrested in Wagoner, Okla., on felony charges of abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering and forgery.
The pair own Return to Nature Funeral Home in the small town of Penrose, where an investigation was launched early October, when the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a foul odor coming from the facility, authorities said.
“FSCO received a state warrant to search the premises, where they discovered improperly stored bodies,” the release alleges. According to theAssociated Pressand theColorado Springs Gazette,authorities said they recovered at least 189 decaying bodies on Oct. 4.
“While the investigation for this incident continues, we also remain focused on the impacted families,” Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper said in an Oct. 17press statementprior to the arrests. “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.”
Cooper added that the number of bodies was expected to rise further as the investigation continues.
“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 victimization as they continue to grieve their loved ones,” Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller also said in the press statement issued on Oct. 17.
The company, which began in 2017, offered “green” and natural burial services without embalming fluids, theAssociated Pressreports.
As of Wednesday, the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said it will review the investigation and file the appropriate charges in El Paso County District Court. Since the Hallfords were arrested in a different state, their first appearance in El Paso County District Court will be determined during the extradition process.
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“If you or someone you know worked with the Return to Nature Funeral Home between September 2019 and September 2023, please complete theSeeking Victim Information Questionnaire,” the release states.
Fremont County also operates a telephone hotline for families who may have been impacted at (719)-276-7421.
source: people.com
