Investigation Underway at “Green” Funeral Home in Colorado Following Discovery of Decaying Corpses
FREMONT COUNTY, CO – An unsettling revelation has emerged in the peaceful confines of Fremont County, Colorado. Authorities are currently probing a “green” funeral home in Penrose, west of Colorado Springs, after the shocking discovery of over 115 decaying bodies. The incident was confirmed by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Department on Friday.
The Return to Nature Funeral Home, which prides itself on eco-friendly burials without embalming chemicals, now faces allegations of improper body storage within its 2,500-square foot, one-story facility. According to the sheriff’s department, deputies were initially summoned due to a “suspicious incident,” referred to as an “abhorrent smell” in a suspension letter from a regulatory agency.
In response, a search warrant was executed on Thursday by the Fremont County Coroner’s Office and the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, which oversees funeral homes across the state.
Speaking at a press conference, Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper chose not to divulge specific details to protect the affected families but described the funeral home as a “horrific” site where bodies were stored improperly. As of now, no arrests have been made.
The suspension letter addressed to the funeral home owner, Jon Hallford, revealed the startling claim that 115 bodies were found decaying inside. In a bewildering twist, Hallford mentioned his intentions to engage in taxidermy within the facility, though the letter didn’t provide further context for this peculiar statement. Furthermore, the owner acknowledged having a “problem” on the premises, but the document offered no explanation.
Hallford also stands accused of attempting to conceal the alleged mishandling of corpses.
Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller noted that this investigation might extend for several months due to the significant number of decedents involved and the complexity of their identification process. Some identifications will necessitate fingerprint matching, access to medical and dental records, and DNA analysis. To expedite the effort, Fremont County has declared a disaster, potentially making additional state resources available for the task.
In this challenging time, Keller emphasized, “Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this tragedy, and we will take every measure possible to get families the answers they deserve.”
To assist with the ongoing investigation, the sheriff’s department has urged family members who have used the funeral home to reach out to them.
Fox News Digital is actively seeking updates from the sheriff’s office, the state Department of Regulatory Agencies, and the funeral home as the situation develops.
Contributions to this report were provided by The Associated Press.