The Fremont County Sheriff defined the scene inside a Colorado funeral facility as “horrific” and related to a criminal investigation.
The funeral home in question is situated in Colorado Springs, but it also has a site in Penrose, which is under scrutiny. Multiple people contacted KKTV 11 News after noticing a significant law enforcement presence along Highway 115 on Wednesday night and Thursday. Law authorities, including the FBI, were looking into the Return to Nature Funeral Home.
According to the Fremont County Coroner, the inquiry began after community residents reported a stench coming from the facility. When officials entered, they discovered hundreds of bodies improperly stored, resulting in a “hazardous scene,” according to Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller. According to Keller, the bodies are currently being removed.
Family of 21-year-old Man Shot by CSPD Questions Incident: ‘This Should Not Have Happened’
“This is going to be a very long process,” Keller said. “The loved ones at this facility will be treated with the utmost care and respect.”
To identify all of the bodies, DNA and forensic records must be done, which might take months. Fremont County declared a disaster emergency, which gave them access to state resources. The FBI is assisting the inquiry.
“The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is asking that family members of decedents who utilized the Return to Nature Funeral Home please send an email to [email protected],” according to a release. “Please include your best contact number and time to call in this email. We will respond to all emails. If you do not utilize email, please call the Fremont Emergency Management hotline at (719)-276-7421. Beginning October 6, 2023, we will have victims’ help personnel respond to messages between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. We will also have victim support personnel available at 1901 East Main, Canon City CO, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Arizona Man Charged With Gun Trafficking and Plotting Race War, Says Indictment
As of Friday morning, no arrests had been made in this case. A parallel federal inquiry is proceeding to determine whether any crimes were committed.
KKTV attempted various ways to contact the business’s owners but has yet to receive a response. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is anticipated to release updates when they are available.
Authorities were also seen at the Colorado Springs Return to Natura site Thursday night; the Fremont County Sheriff confirmed that it was part of the inquiry but would to disclose further.
According to an order of summary suspension posted on the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) website, the owner of the business informed the Program Director of the Office Funeral Home and Crematory Registration that he had a “problem” at his Penrose property. The owner, John Hallford, purportedly claimed to perform taxidermy on the Penrose property.
According to another document posted on DORA’s website, Hallford allegedly refused to allow access to an investigation on one of his properties on Thursday, despite being required by law.