DENVER (AP) — The remains of at least 189 decaying bodies were found and removed from a Colorado funeral home, up from about 115 reported when the bodies were discovered two weeks ago, officials said Tuesday.
Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesAuthorities responding to an “abhorrent smell” entered the funeral home’s neglected building with a search warrant Oct. 4 and found the decomposing bodies.
Colorado has some of the weakest rules for funeral homes in the nation with no routine inspections or qualification requirements for funeral home operators.
There’s no indication state regulators visited the site or contacted Hallford until more than 10 months after the Penrose funeral home’s registration expired.
State lawmakers gave regulators the authority to inspect funeral homes without the owners’ consent last year, but no additional money was provided for increased inspections.
Persons:
Fremont Sheriff Allen Cooper, Jon Hallford, ”, Carie, Leon Kelly
Organizations:
DENVER, FBI, Fremont Sheriff, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America
Locations:
Colorado, Penrose , Colorado, Fremont, Hallford, El Paso County