At least 189 bodies recovered from the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado, as investigators work to identify the remains
Nearly 200 decomposing bodies have been removed from a “green” funeral home in Colorado — a significant jump from initial estimates — as officials work to identify the remains.
At least 189 bodies were seized from the Return to Nature funeral home in Penrose, Colorado, as part of an investigation into allegations that they had been improperly stored.
The bodies were removed from the eco-friendly funeral home on Friday after neighbors reported a foul “dead animal odor” in the area.
The remains were taken to the nearby El Paso County Coroner’s Office, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which initially said the number of bodies removed was 115.
As investigators work to identify the remains and notify families, officials say the total number could change again.
At least 189 bodies were seized from the Return to Nature funeral home in Penrose, Colorado, as part of an investigation into allegations that they had been improperly stored.
Police initially said 115 bodies had been removed from the eco-friendly funeral home, but the total increased significantly
“We are conducting extensive coordination efforts as we focus on identifying the deceased and providing notifications to ensure families receive accurate information to prevent further casualties as they continue to grieve their loved ones,” said Coroner Randy Keller. Fremont County.
Investigators confirmed the next phase of the investigation will focus on identification and notifying family, but could not confirm how long the process would take.
No arrests have been made in connection with the discovery, but funeral home employees have asked to contact the sheriff’s office.
Joyce Pavetti, 73, can see the funeral home from the stoop of her home. She said: ‘We just assumed (the smell) was a dead animal.’
While neighbor Ron Alexander thought the smell was coming from a septic tank.
Documents showed the owner, Jon Hallford, told the Colorado Program Director for the Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration that he practiced taxidermy at the property.
Investigators flocked to the funeral home after neighbors reported a putrid odor coming from the facility
Hallford admitted he had a problem with the property and ‘was willing’ to meet at the Penrose property for an inspection on October 4.
The company charges $1,895 for a “natural burial,” which does not include the cost of a casket and cemetery space, according to its website.
Bodies are not embalmed and buried in biodegradable caskets, shrouds or “anything at all,” the website said.
The funeral home also previously offered cremation services for $1,290, which included a tree planted in a Colorado National Forest.
Family members who want to spend four hours with their loved ones must pay $485, while a one-hour final private moment costs $285.
The funeral home describes its services as “a natural way of caring for your loved one with minimal impact on the environment.”
The website continues: ‘Green Burial helps conserve natural resources, reduce carbon emissions and preserve the environment, WITHOUT the use of harsh embalming chemicals, metals, plastics or unnatural objects.’
The company charges $1,895 for a “natural burial,” which does not include the cost of a casket and cemetery space, according to its website
Green burials are legal under Colorado state law and refer to burials that take place without embalming.
But if they are not buried within 24 hours, they should be properly refrigerated.
Paul Saito Kahler used the services of Return to Nature last summer for the funeral of his 25-year-old Navy soldier son.
“I mean, obviously there are questions after hearing that something is going on, but there’s no information that I can go off of to really make a judgment on it,” Kahler said.