The owners of a “green” Colorado funeral home have been arrested and charged after the decaying remains of 190 people were found at their facility. Jon and Carie Hallford, who own Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs and Penrose, were apprehended in Wagoner, Oklahoma, on suspicion of abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering, and forgery. The arrest was made following an investigation that began in October when the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a foul odor emanating from the funeral home’s Penrose facility.
Authorities obtained a warrant to search the premises and discovered improperly stored bodies. District Attorney Michael Allen, who released a news statement, mentioned that the probable cause affidavit contains “shocking” information, but it has been sealed to protect the ongoing investigation. The affidavit will be released at a later date as per a judge’s order.
So far, 110 bodies have been positively identified, while the process of identifying the remaining 80 bodies is ongoing. The identification is being done through fingerprints, dental records, and medical hardware, with DNA testing being considered if necessary. Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller assured that the bodies are being treated with utmost care and respect.
Jon Hallford is currently held in the Muskogee County, Oklahoma, jail, while his wife’s whereabouts are unknown. The court appearance date will be determined during the extradition process.
The discovery of the decaying bodies has prompted a lawsuit from one family, accusing Return to Nature Funeral Home and the Hallfords of negligence, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of Colorado laws, among other allegations.
Authorities are urging individuals who had any involvement with Return to Nature Funeral Home between September 2018 and September 2023 to complete a questionnaire to aid in the identification process.
