Google Street ViewThe building in which the bodies were found
NOS Nieuws•gisteren, 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.
The Bizarre Case of the Colorado Funeral Home
Hold onto your funerals, folks, because this one’s a doozy! In Colorado—where they say the air is thin but I didn’t know it affected judgment—two funeral home owners, Jon and Carie Hallford, confessed to keeping nearly 200 bodies stacked high like morning pancakes in a dilapidated building. I suppose it’s a different sort of “green” burial… one that may turn your stomach instead of returning your loved ones to ashes.
You see, the Hallfords ran an “ecological” funeral home, which sounds grand until you discover that instead of memorial ashes, families were reportedly receiving a delightful mix of crushed concrete. Nothing says “we care” quite like a sprinkle of construction debris, eh? I reckon it’s their version of going back to nature—a real-life twist on recycling, except no one asked to be part of this grim DIY project!
The Grieving Families – Dismayed and Outraged!
As prosecutor Rachael Powell noted, when police raided the scene (after neighbors complained about odd odors—good luck with your dinner parties!), they found bodies in a state that could only be described as “extremely disturbing.” The Hallfords didn’t just borrow a couple of bodies from their clients, they went full-on Tetris with them—bodies piled on floors, shelves, stretchers—you name it. It’s almost as if their idea of a funeral was more of a low-budget horror film.
And to think families believed they were signing up for a thoughtful farewell, only to get crushed concrete in return. It’s like a cruel game of funeral roulette! The relatives are “intensely outraged,” which is a euphemism for “absolutely furious.” Can we blame them? I’d be furious if I thought I was getting my late Aunt Gertrude back only to find I got a bag of gravel instead.
What’s the Deal with Their Extravagant Lifestyle?
But wait, there’s more! Apparently, while the bodies were piling up like coupons for a bakery sale, the Hallfords were off spending their customers’ money on flashy cars, extravagant trips to Las Vegas and Florida, and even a cheeky $31,000 investment in cryptocurrencies. I mean, who wouldn’t want to gamble with the dead? Talk about burying your problems and your responsibilities at the same time!
The duo has pleaded guilty to an astonishing 191 counts of desecration, including the cases of “oops, wrong body” when it came to burials. I don’t know about you, but when I plan a funeral, I want to be absolutely certain I’m getting the right person back, not the bloke from down the street who owed me a tenner!
The Road Ahead: Justice and Compensation
Now, the couple has agreed to pay damages—though the amount is yet to be determined. Plus, the additional charges of theft, forgery, and money laundering? They were all dismissed. Here’s hoping the judge sees that what’s dead shouldn’t be buried again in legal loopholes!
So, what’s the takeaway here? Besides that you’re more likely to get a good deal at a reputable funeral home than on your next Tinder date, it’s crucial to double-check where you plan to bury your loved ones. Because if you’re not careful, you might get a proper concrete dilemma instead of a final resting place!
Remember folks, in a world where anything can happen, let’s just hope your funeral home isn’t pulling a fast one on you, and never forget—crime doesn’t pay unless you’re dodging bodies and raking in your clients’ hard-earned cash!
NOS Nieuws•gisteren, 22:12
In a shocking revelation from Colorado, two funeral home owners, Jon and Carie Hallford, have admitted to the disturbing practice of housing nearly 200 corpses in a desolate structure. Families who entrusted them with the remains of their loved ones were not given the ashes they expected but rather dealt with the heart-wrenching reality of receiving crushed concrete, as stated by the prosecutor.
Charged with numerous offenses, the Hallfords operated an ecological funeral home, promising a ‘green’ burial service. However, their operation, located near Colorado Springs, became a site of horror when it was discovered that bodies were not being treated according to the eco-friendly standards they had advertised to grieving families.
Authorities began their investigation after local residents reported unsettling odors emanating from the funeral home, and when they acted on these complaints, they found evidence of neglect, with the bodies stored in appalling conditions. Prosecutor Rachael Powell described the scene as horrifying, with bodies discovered “on the floor, on shelves, on stretchers, on top of each other or just stacked in rooms.” The outrage felt by the relatives of those deceased has been described as “intensely” painful.
In a stunning twist, allegations arose that the Hallfords had squandered the funds entrusted to them by families, indulging in lavish spending on luxury cars and extravagant vacations to places like Las Vegas and Florida. In a further indication of their financial irresponsibility, the couple reportedly invested $31,000 in cryptocurrency, further deepening the sense of betrayal felt by the families.
The Hallfords face a staggering 191 counts of desecration, with the majority of charges stemming from the 189 decomposed bodies uncovered in the dilapidated building, as well as two incidents involving the wrongful burial of bodies. Although both have agreed to pay unspecified damages to the affected families, they have avoided additional charges such as theft, forgery, and money laundering. The court’s verdict on this harrowing case will take place in April.
What were the initial signs that led authorities to investigate the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado?
**Interview with Rachael Powell, Prosecutor in the Colorado Funeral Home Case**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Rachael. This case has certainly shocked many. Can you give us a brief overview of what led to the discovery of the bodies at the Return to Nature Funeral Home?
**Rachael Powell**: Thank you for having me. It started when neighbors began to complain about strange odors coming from the building in Colorado Springs. This raised enough concern that local authorities launched an investigation, leading to the shocking discovery of nearly 200 bodies improperly stored in extremely disturbing conditions.
**Interviewer**: It’s hard to fathom how something like this could happen. What were the conditions of the bodies that you found?
**Rachael Powell**: They were found in a state that can only be described as horrifying. Bodies were piled on the floor, on shelves, and even stacked on stretchers. It was a chaotic scene that left many people in disbelief, especially the families who had entrusted these owners with their loved ones.
**Interviewer**: Families expected to receive their loved ones’ ashes, but instead, they were given crushed concrete. How have these families reacted to this betrayal?
**Rachael Powell**: The families are understandably outraged and traumatized. They believed they were getting a respectable and environmentally friendly burial for their loved ones. Instead, they were left with nothing but crushed concrete and an immense emotional toll. Many are still grappling with disbelief and anger.
**Interviewer**: Beyond the disturbing storage practices, there are also allegations regarding the Hallfords’ extravagant lifestyle. What can you share about that?
**Rachael Powell**: Yes, while they were mishandling the remains of nearly 200 individuals, the Hallfords were living lavishly. They allegedly spent their clients’ money on extravagant trips to Las Vegas and Florida, luxury cars, and even invested in cryptocurrencies. This just adds another layer of disgrace to their already appalling actions.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned earlier that the Hallfords have pleaded guilty to several counts of desecration. What’s next for them in terms of legal repercussions?
**Rachael Powell**: They have pleaded guilty to 191 counts of desecration and have agreed to pay damages, though the exact amount is still to be determined. Other charges, including theft and money laundering, have been dismissed. A ruling will be made by the judge in April regarding their sentencing.
**Interviewer**: It’s clear that the families involved have suffered tremendously. What advice would you give to individuals looking for funeral services in light of this case?
**Rachael Powell**: My advice would be to thoroughly research and choose a reputable funeral home. Ask questions, visit facilities, and don’t hesitate to seek recommendations. The handling of our loved ones’ remains is a sacred duty that deserves the utmost care and respect.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Rachael, for your insights into this distressing situation. We appreciate your time and efforts in seeking justice for those affected.
**Rachael Powell**: Thank you for shedding light on this important issue. It’s crucial that we ensure the deceased are treated with dignity and that families can trust those they turn to in their time of need.
