Google Street ViewThe building in which the bodies were found
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 22:12
In the US state of Colorado, two funeral home owners have confessed to keeping almost 200 bodies in a building. The grieving families were then not given the ashes of their deceased, but nepas.
The two owners of the ecological funeral home, Jon and Carie Hallford, have been charged with storing the bodies in a dilapidated building near Colorado Springs.
The owners promised the families to provide a so-called ‘green’ funeral. Bodies are not embalmed with chemicals and biodegradable coffins are used. But the relatives received crushed concrete instead of cremated remains of their loved ones, according to the prosecutor.
The Return to Nature Funeral Home has reportedly been engaged in these practices since 2019. Last year, police discovered numerous bodies piled up in the building after neighbors complained about odors.
“The bodies were on the floor, on shelves, on stretchers, on top of each other or just stacked in rooms,” said prosecutor Rachael Powell. She said the relatives of the bodies that were discovered are “intensely outraged”.
Trips to Las Vegas and Florida
The prosecutor says that the entrepreneurs have spent extravagantly in recent years. They allegedly spent their customers’ money on expensive cars, trips to Las Vegas and Florida and luxury items. They are also said to have invested $31,000 in crypto coins.
The owners have each pleaded guilty to 191 counts of desecration: 189 bodies found decomposed in the derelict building and two cases involving the wrong bodies being buried.
The owners also agreed to pay damages, the amount of which has yet to be determined. Additional charges, such as theft, forgery and money laundering, have been dismissed. The judge will rule in the case in April.
Shocking Funeral Home Scandal: Bodies, Concrete, and a Dash of Crypto
Picture this: a serene funeral home nestled in the stunning terrains of Colorado, where the promise of a “green” burial calls to those eager to return to nature. Now, picture your dearly departed… not being buried at all. Instead, they’re moldering in a rundown building, sharing space with the last two decades’ worth of musty old documents and perhaps a few overexcited raccoons. Well, brace yourself for the jaw-dropping revelation that has rocked Colorado – and no, it’s not just the altitude!
The Gruesome Revelation
In a tale that starts like a bad sitcom premise, we have Jon and Carie Hallford, the not-so-esteemed owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home. This power couple has confessed to keeping an astonishing 200 bodies in a dilapidated structure near Colorado Springs, all for the sake of a “revolutionary” green burial scheme. It seems the only thing the Hallfords are good at recycling is the respect for the dead!
According to prosecutor Rachael Powell, when families came seeking the ashes of their loved ones, what they received instead was crushed concrete. Yes, as in “good luck making a compelling case to Grandma on why her remains taste like a driveway.” Talk about disappointing returns!
Everything Goes Green… Except the Ashes
These two entrepreneurs took the notion of eco-friendly funerals and turned it into a macabre episode of “Green Acres.” While they promised biodegradable coffins and chemical-free embalming to the grieving families, what they delivered was a reminder that some promises are meant to be taken with a pinch of salt (or in this case, crushed concrete).
Since 2019, the Hallfords were apparently “working” their magic at this funeral home, but it took some nosey neighbors complaining about strange odors to unravel the bizarre reality. And when the police swung by for an inspection, they didn’t just find a few stiffs; they discovered bodies stacked like a particularly morbid version of Tetris.
Where did the Money Go? Ah, Vegas!
It appears the Hallfords didn’t just stop at the questionable practices of treating the deceased like clutter. In a truly shocking twist, they allegedly spent their clients’ hard-earned money on fabulous trips to Las Vegas, luxury cars, and a staggering $31,000 invested in crypto coins. What’s that old proverb? “In death, as in life, make sure you take a holiday?” Apparently, it’s a motto they lived by!
With the owners facing 191 counts of desecration—189 bodies rotting in their glorious neglect and two mix-ups involving the wrong corpses being buried—it’s hard not to wonder what went through their minds. A spa day perhaps? Maybe a nice trip to Disney World where they could forget their worries? I can see their travel itinerary now: “Funeral home? What funeral home?”
Justice on the Horizon
Both Jon and Carie have pleaded guilty, but it seems the punchline is yet to come. While additional charges have been dismissed, they have agreed to pay damages—though the exact amount is still up in the air. The judge is set to rule in April, and one can only imagine the courtroom’s atmosphere. Will it be solemn? Or will it bleed into some bizarre comedy of errors as it all unravels?
As we await the next installment of this incredible saga, one thing is for certain: not all funeral homes live up to their promises. So, in the event you’re planning your own life celebration – or that of a loved one – best you dig a little deeper than “green” slogans and shiny brochures! And remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it just might lead to you sharing a cram session with crushed concrete instead of fond memories.
Stay tuned for the inevitable Netflix documentary titled “The Green Grave Robbers.” You know it’s coming—and let’s just hope it’s more than just a pile of ashes!
In a shocking case emerging from Colorado, two funeral home proprietors, Jon and Carie Hallford, have admitted to the disheartening act of storing nearly 200 deceased bodies in a dilapidated facility near Colorado Springs. Instead of receiving the expected ashes of their loved ones, grieving families were instead handed bags containing crushed concrete, a revelation that has sparked outrage from the community and the authorities.
These owners, who operated an ecological funeral business under the name Return to Nature Funeral Home, were supposed to provide environmentally-friendly burial options. Instead, they allegedly misled clients by promising a so-called ‘green’ funeral without the use of embalming chemicals, but evidence has surfaced indicating that the bodies were improperly stored and mishandled.
Police investigations began last year after persistent complaints from neighbors about foul odors emanating from the building, leading to the discovery of the disturbing scene where bodies were found piled and stacked throughout the premises. Prosecutor Rachael Powell described the environment as horrifying, stating that the bodies were “on the floor, on shelves, on stretchers, on top of each other or just stacked in rooms,” which has caused immense grief and anger for the affected families.
In addition to these grave allegations, the Hallfords reportedly lived lavishly off their clients’ funds, reportedly indulging in extravagant lifestyles and luxury purchases, including high-end vehicles, luxurious trips to Las Vegas and Florida, and investing a staggering $31,000 in cryptocurrency. This misuse of funds has further fueled public outrage as families struggle to come to terms with their loss and the betrayal they feel.
Both Halffords have pleaded guilty to 191 counts of desecration of human remains, a shocking admission that includes charges related to the mishandling of 189 decomposed bodies and two incidents of burying the wrong corpses. As part of the legal resolution, they have agreed to compensate the affected families, though the exact amount remains to be decided. Although prosecutors considered additional charges of theft, forgery, and money laundering, those have been dismissed, with a final ruling on the case expected in April.
What were the legal outcomes for Jon and Carie Hallford in the Return to Nature Funeral Home case?
**Interview with Rachael Powell, Prosecutor in the Return to Nature Funeral Home Case**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Rachael. This case is quite shocking. Can you give us a brief overview of what led to the discovery of the bodies?
**Rachael Powell:** Absolutely. Our investigation began when neighbors near the Return to Nature Funeral Home reported unpleasant odors coming from the building. Concerned about the situation, we conducted a welfare check and discovered nearly 200 decomposing bodies improperly stored inside the facility. This led to multiple counts of desecration against the owners, Jon and Carie Hallford.
**Interviewer:** When families would come seeking the remains of their loved ones, what were they unfortunately handed instead?
**Rachael Powell:** In a tragic twist, families who expected to receive the ashes of their deceased loved ones were instead given bags filled with crushed concrete. It was an extremely painful deception for those already grieving.
**Interviewer:** What were the Hallfords promising families initially regarding their services?
**Rachael Powell:** They marketed themselves as offering “green” burial options, using biodegradable coffins and avoiding chemical embalming. Unfortunately, it quickly became evident that their focus was not on the care of the deceased, but rather on misappropriating funds.
**Interviewer:** How did the Hallfords use the money they collected from families?
**Rachael Powell:** Our investigation revealed they had been spending client funds on luxury items, extravagant trips to Las Vegas and Florida, and even investments in cryptocurrency. This raises serious ethical concerns about the management of funeral homes, especially when the clients are trusting them in their most vulnerable moments.
**Interviewer:** What charges have they faced, and what can we expect moving forward in the legal proceedings?
**Rachael Powell:** As of now, they have pleaded guilty to 191 counts of desecration of a corpse. While they have agreed to pay damages to affected families, the amount is still being determined. Other charges, such as theft and money laundering, were dismissed. The judge will announce the final ruling in April.
**Interviewer:** Given the gravity of this case, how are the families affected managing this ordeal?
**Rachael Powell:** The families are understandably outraged and devastated. This betrayal at such a sensitive time has left lasting emotional scars. We are doing everything we can to provide support and ensure justice for them.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Rachael, for shedding light on this troubling case. It certainly serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and trust in funeral services.
**Rachael Powell:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we raise awareness to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
—
This interview aims to encapsulate the serious concerns surrounding the case while providing insights into the emotional and legal ramifications for the families involved.
