Colorado Funeral Home Owners Face Hundreds of Felony Charges Over Decomposing Human Remains
The owners of a now-defunct funeral home in Colorado are facing a multitude of felony charges after 190 sets of decomposing human remains were discovered at their facility.
Carie Hallford and Jon Hallford have been returned to the state and are set to appear in court to face these charges.
Carie Hallford appeared via video in District Court in Colorado Springs on Wednesday, where District Judge Samorreyan Burney maintained her bail at $2 million cash. Jon Hallford's advisement hearing took place on Friday, and his bail also remained at $2 million.
During Carie Hallford's hearing, her public defender requested a reduction in bail to $50,000, citing her lack of a criminal record. However, Judge Burney pointed out that she is facing over 250 felony charges. Both Hallfords are charged with 190 counts of abuse of a corpse, over 50 counts of forgery, five counts of theft, and four counts of money laundering, according to federal court records.
Neither of the accused individuals entered a plea, and their next court appearances are scheduled for December 5th.
The case came to light in early October when reports of a foul odor led to the discovery of the bodies at a Return to Nature Funeral Home location in Penrose, approximately 34 miles southwest of Colorado Springs.
After the removal of the bodies, authorities discovered a total of 190 sets of remains, some of which had been there for up to four years. In an effort to identify the bodies, the coroner's office utilized fingerprints and medical records, and DNA testing may be employed if necessary, officials stated.
According to court records, family members were falsely informed that their loved ones had been cremated and were provided with materials that were not their actual ashes.
The Hallfords were apprehended on November 8th at Jon Hallford's father's residence in Oklahoma. A federal arrest warrant had been issued, alleging that they had fled the state to evade prosecution. However, the federal charge was dropped upon their arrests.
Carrie Hallford was booked into the El Paso County Jail in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, while Jon Hallford was returned to Colorado on Wednesday to face the charges against them.
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This case has shocked the local community and has once again raised serious questions about the operation of funeral homes. The Hallfords will now have their day in court as they face the consequences of these disturbing allegations.
Court records reveal that the Hallfords are being represented by the public defender's office, which does not provide comments on ongoing cases to the media.