The quiet town of Penrose, Colorado, has become the centre of a truly horrifying discovery after authorities found 115 bodies improperly stored at a local funeral home. The scene was described by officials as "abhorrent" and deeply disturbing.
Authorities were alerted to the Return to Nature Funeral Home after reports of a foul odour emanating from the building. What they found inside was beyond comprehension: bodies in various stages of decomposition, some dating back as far as 2019, stacked haphazardly throughout the facility.
Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper stated during a press conference that the conditions were among the worst he had witnessed in his career. The scale of the incident required the deployment of a state emergency management team and the involvement of the FBI.
Families Left Devastated and Seeking Answers
The discovery has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving countless families terrified that their loved ones might be among the unidentified deceased. The funeral home, which offered eco-friendly 'green' burials, is now at the centre of a massive criminal investigation.
One family, who had paid the establishment $1,300 for a cremation, is now questioning whether they received their mother's actual ashes. They described the emotional whiplash of grieving, believing their loved one was cared for, only to be confronted with this nightmare.
A Complex and Ongoing Investigation
Identifying the remains has proven to be a monumental task for investigators. With some bodies dating back four years, traditional methods are not always viable. The FBI is providing forensic resources and fingerprinting expertise to assist in the process.
The owners of the funeral home have so far failed to cooperate with officials. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is pursuing multiple charges as they work to untangle how this situation could have occurred and who is responsible for this profound betrayal of trust.
