In a shocking development, investigators have unearthed the remains of nearly 200 people from a funeral home in Penrose, Colorado. The authorities were alerted to the Return to Nature Funeral Home weeks ago, following complaints about an "abhorrent smell" that turned out to be the decaying bodies of more than a hundred individuals.
According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the grim discovery comprises at least 189 bodies, which have since been relocated to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office for further examination. The funeral home, positioned about 100 miles south of Denver, came under scrutiny earlier this month when initial reports revealed 115 human remains improperly stored on the property.
Jon Hallford, the owner of the establishment, has been accused of attempting to hide the maltreatment of the remains. In a letter dated October 5th, officials highlighted that state regulators suspended the license of the Colorado Springs-based funeral home after these revelations. Hallford confessed to the regulators, admitting to a "problem" at the property and mentioning his practice of taxidermy there.
Describing the situation, Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper termed the inside of the facility, which is approximately 2,500 square feet, as "horrific". Cooper's comments underscore the severity of the discovery, especially when considering the adverse reaction of a paramedic on the scene who developed a rash and needed medical assessment.
While this investigation is ongoing, Sheriff Cooper emphasized that the focus is also on the affected families. "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 stated.
The tedious task of confirming identities and informing surviving family members has begun, with DNA testing anticipated to span several months. "We are conducting extensive coordination efforts as we focus on the identification of the decedents," expressed Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller, aiming to prevent further trauma for the grieving families.
Currently, it's uncertain if the funeral home operator will face criminal charges. Sheriff Cooper has previously noted that no arrests or charges had been made and that Hallford, whose name was initially withheld, was cooperating with the investigation.
This incident brings to light Colorado's notably lax oversight laws regarding funeral homes. As reported by the Colorado Springs Gazette, Colorado stands as the only state without mandates on minimal education and training for licensing funeral homes. Even more alarming is the revelation that state regulators possibly failed to inspect or even contact Return to Nature for nearly a year after its registration expired.
Regrettably, this isn't the first instance of malpractice related to funeral homes in Colorado. Megan Hess, ex-owner of Sunset Mesa funeral home, was sentenced to two decades of imprisonment earlier this year for her involvement in stealing and selling bodies or body parts.
Jon Hallford isn't a novice in the funeral business. He established his green burial service in Colorado Springs in 2017, after gaining experience in Oklahoma at his family's funeral home. Notably, he made headlines in 2006, due to a misdemeanor gun charge related to a misguided prank.
Green burials, a method that allows natural decomposition, is legally permitted in Colorado. This eco-friendly alternative, however, demands that any body not interred within a day be adequately refrigerated, as per the state code.
Return to Nature Funeral Home previously advertised green burials for $1,895, not inclusive of a casket or burial plot. Additionally, they offered cremation services for $1,290, which were discontinued last July.
Residents living nearby recounted the odorous stench emanating from the funeral home weeks prior to the investigation. "We just assumed it was a dead animal," shared Joyce Pavetti, a 73-year-old local.
The FBI is actively seeking information from individuals who suspect the wrongful storage of their loved one's remains at this funeral home. The bureau encourages these individuals to fill out an online survey to aid their investigation.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com