An FBI agent has described the gruesome scene inside a Colorado funeral home where nearly 200 decomposing bodies were found stacked, with bodily fluids inches deep and maggots throughout the building. The agent testified on Thursday during a hearing for Carie Hallford, co-owner of Return to Nature Funeral Home, who faces multiple charges including abuse of a corpse.
FBI agent Andrew Cohen said the remains included adults, infants, and fetuses, with 23 bodies dating from 2019 and 61 from 2020. The bodies were stored at room temperature in a neglected building in Penrose, Colorado. Investigators also found animal remains and bags of packaged concrete. Some relatives had received fake ashes instead of their loved ones' cremains.
Prosecutors revealed text messages between owners Jon and Carie Hallford showing financial pressures and fears of being caught. In one 2020 text, Jon Hallford suggested disposing of bodies by digging a hole and using lye or setting them on fire. Another text from last year mentioned getting 'people juice' on him during a transfer, followed by a dinner order.
The Hallfords were arrested in Oklahoma in November after allegedly fleeing Colorado. They face approximately 190 counts of abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering, and forgery. Jon Hallford remains in custody with bond reduced to $100,000, while Carie Hallford's attorney did not challenge the evidence but will have another hearing next week.
