Colorado Funeral Home Director Sentenced to 40 years for Corpse Abuse

[Meatpie]

The co-owner of a Colorado funeral home where nearly 200 decaying bodies were found has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for corpse abuse.

Before Jon Hallford was sentenced, he apologised in court and listened to family members describe having nightmares about their loved ones decomposing in his care. They called him a "monster" who should rot in jail.

His ex-wife and co-owner Carie Hallford has pleaded guilty to similar charges and is awaiting sentencing.

The Return to Nature home, in the town of Penrose, Colorado, had given fake ashes to grieving relatives instead of their loved-ones' remains. Prosecutors said 189 bodies were improperly stored in the building over four years.

Colorado funeral home director sentenced to 40 years for abusing corpses

Nearly 200 decaying bodies were discovered at the Return to Nature home after officials investigated a foul smell.

www.bbc.com

 

[Eclipse]

Funeral home operators in Colorado are currently not required to be licensed, have a degree in mortuary science or even graduate high school.
Tougher legislation has been passed since the scandal erupted.

That...explains a lot. Makes me wonder how many other unqualified funeral homes have gotten easy access to corpses.