Nearly 200 Abandoned Corpses Found in Colorado Funeral Home Nightmare
On Oct. 3, 2023, 30 miles from Colorado Springs, in the small town of Penrose, Colorado, neighbors became concerned about a strong smell coming from Return to Nature Funeral Home.
Photo: David Zalubowski/AP
Police responded to the property to investigate, and what they found inside the 2,500 square foot building was "horrific," according to Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper, as reported by AP News during an Oct. 6 press conference on the investigation.
A Gruesome Discovery
FBI Investigators who entered the Return to Nature Funeral Home testified that upon entering the funeral home, they found stacks of partially covered human remains, inches of bodily fluids on the floor, and flies and maggots throughout.
All told, investigators recovered 189 bodies from the funeral home. The remains included adults, infants, and fetuses. According to reports, 23 of the bodies had death dates in 2019, and 61 had died in 2020.
During a press conference on Oct. 6, Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller noted that the bodies were "improperly stored." He said, "This is going to be a very, very lengthy process. Forensic identification through fingerprints, medical or dental records, or possibly DNA will need to be completed," as reported by AP News.
After the discovery, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a verbal emergency disaster declaration, hoping to provide resources to support the investigation and clean up the facility. At that time, no arrests were made concerning the investigation, and news outlets reported that the funeral homeowners were cooperating with authorities.
An Under-Regulated Industry
Established in 2017, Return to Nature Funeral Home provided cremation services and environmentally friendly burials.
Referred to as "green" burials, this process is an alternative, sustainable choice that avoids embalming and often involves using biodegradable burial materials such as a shroud or a reed casket. It offers a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional metal or wood caskets.
According to the Green Burial Council, "Green burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat."
However, while this form of burial is legal in the state, Colorado's funeral home industry is one of the least regulated in the country. State officials have been grappling with the challenge of effectively overseeing the sector, which has no routine inspections or qualification requirements for funeral home operators.
A Closer Look at the Owners
The AP reported that the owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home, Carie and Jon Hallford, had unpaid taxes, were evicted from one of their other properties, and faced a lawsuit by a crematorium they worked with whom they failed to pay for their services. Even after the company's state registration expired, regulators did not check in on the funeral home operations.
Text exchanges between the Hallfords revealed a growing panic under the financial strain. Their conversation hinted at desperate measures, contemplating the disposal of bodies in unethical ways.
In a 2020 exchange, Jon Hallford sent text messages to his wife that they needed to get rid of the bodies, according to Kevin Clark, an investigator with the district attorney's office.
One message read, "Options: A, build a new machine ASAP. B, dig a big hole and use lye. Where? C, dig a small hole and build a large fire. Where? D, I go to prison, which will probably happen."
Other texts between the pair discussed selling assets to cover expenses and fears of losing everything if they were exposed.
Arrest and Charges
Photo Credit: AP
Families who entrusted the Hallfords with their loved ones' final arrangements were left grappling with betrayal and heartache.
After the horrific discovery, officials stated that their top priority was to notify the families of the deceased. Keller noted that his office would be undertaking extensive coordination to ensure that "families are given accurate information to prevent further victimization as they grieve their loved ones," according to NPR.org.
In November 2023, police arrested Carie and Jon Hallford in Oklahoma after allegedly fleeing Colorado to avoid being prosecuted for their crimes. The pair were each charged with 190 counts of abuse of a corpse, five counts of theft, four counts of money laundering, and more than 50 counts of forgery.
Final Thoughts
As of March 2024, a judge granted the defense's request to delay the criminal case against the Hallfords. This turn of events has left families devastated, as they are eager for the case to be resolved so they can begin to move on from this traumatic experience.
This incident exposed a horrific lack of oversight within the Colorado funeral industry. Regular inspections and mandated qualifications for operators can help prevent similar catastrophes.
Furthermore, increased public awareness about green burial options and the importance of researching funeral homes before entrusting them with a loved one's final arrangements can empower families to make informed decisions.
References:'You can't forget it': FBI agent recounts decaying bodies at Colorado funeral home|Nearly 200 decomposing bodies removed from funeral home| Governor declares emergency disaster for Penrose funeral home, months-long identification process expected|GREEN BURIAL COUNCIL| Nearly 200 bodies recovered from a Colorado funeral home accused of improper storage| At Colorado funeral home where 115 decaying bodies found, troubles went unnoticed by regulators|Governor declares emergency disaster for Penrose funeral home, months-long identification process expected|Investigators reveal 115 bodies found stored at funeral home| Judge Delays Case Against Colorado Funeral Home Owners Accused of 190 Counts of Corpse Abuse
