Colorado ‘Green’ Funeral Home Discovers 115 Decaying Bodies Amid Investigation of Foul Odors

In a deeply unsettling revelation, law enforcement in rural southern Colorado uncovered the presence of at least 115 decomposing bodies within a storage facility operated by a self-proclaimed “green” funeral home. The discovery emerged following complaints from neighbors who had been enduring repugnant odors emanating from the establishment. This shocking development was termed a “disturbing discovery” by local police.

The proprietor of the facility, Jon Hallford, attempted to conceal the improper storage of these deceased individuals and purportedly made the incredulous claim that he was engaged in taxidermy activities on the premises. State regulators, in a suspension letter released to the public, cited Hallford’s dubious actions. As of now, no arrests or charges have been made in connection with this alarming situation.

The Return to Nature Funeral Home, situated in the small town of Penrose, had operated without proper registration with the state for a duration of ten months leading up to this unsettling revelation. Following reports of foul smells and subsequent police involvement, Hallford acknowledged that there was indeed a “problem” at the property. However, the exact nature of his reference to taxidermy or the methods employed to hide the improper storage of human remains remain undisclosed in official documents.

Efforts to establish the extent of this macabre discovery and identify the remains were already underway at the time of reporting. The authorities have maintained a veil of secrecy surrounding the specifics of the scene within the Return to Nature Funeral Home facility. An extensive multi-agency operation involving local coroner’s offices, law enforcement, and emergency management personnel was launched in Penrose, a community of roughly 3,000 residents nestled in the mountains west of Colorado Springs.

On the day of this disconcerting revelation, a noxious odor permeated the air around the rear of the building, which bore signs of damage with broken windows. Coroner’s officials from both Fremont County and nearby El Paso County were present, engaging in discussions as they conducted an examination of the premises.

Notably, the funeral home was known for conducting “green” burials, characterized by the absence of embalming chemicals and the use of biodegradable caskets. Local residents had reported unpleasant odors emanating from the establishment for several months, although they had attributed it to potential dead animals or septic system issues.

Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper, speaking at a news conference, emphasized the gruesome nature of the funeral home where the bodies had been improperly stored. He refrained from providing specific details to avoid further distress to affected families.

The process of identification was expected to be protracted, involving methods such as fingerprint analysis, retrieval of medical or dental records, and DNA testing, as required for individual cases. Coroner Randy Keller from Fremont County indicated that this identification process could span several months, with families being notified once identifications were established.

In a collaborative effort, other Colorado county coroners, the FBI, state police, and emergency management authorities joined forces at the scene. Additionally, Fremont County declared an official disaster, potentially unlocking state funds to support the ongoing efforts.

Families who have utilized the services of the funeral home were urged to reach out to investigators for assistance.

The grim discovery unfolded within a 2,500-square-foot building, which closely resembled a standard one-story home in terms of appearance and dimensions. Officials refrained from confirming whether the facility was equipped to adequately store bodies, nor did they divulge the condition in which the remains were found or their storage methods. Under Colorado law, green burials are permissible, but any body not interred within 24 hours is legally required to be appropriately refrigerated.

The initial incident leading to this investigation transpired when deputies were summoned to the location on a reference to a suspicious occurrence, the details of which are yet to be disclosed by authorities. Subsequently, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant and discovered the remains on the following day.

Officials have asserted that there is no immediate public health risk associated with the building, which bore the sight of trash bags near the entrance and law enforcement vehicles parked in front. The area was cordoned off with yellow police tape, and the pungent odor persisted.

A hearse was situated at the rear of the building in a parking lot characterized by overgrown weeds. In proximity, a post office and a few residences occupied wide, grassy lots, some of which featured parked semi-trucks.

Notably, the license for the facility had expired in November of the previous year, according to a cease and desist order issued by Colorado state regulators on Thursday. In response to regulatory inquiries, owner Jon Hallford admitted to the existence of a “problem” at the Penrose property and claimed to be involved in taxidermy activities.

Residents in the vicinity, such as Joyce Pavetti, had been aware of unpleasant odors emanating from the funeral home in recent weeks but had initially attributed it to a deceased animal. It was on a fateful Wednesday night when the sight of law enforcement lights enveloping the building signaled that something unusual was transpiring.

The building had previously accommodated various businesses over the years, according to Pavetti, who had once attended yoga classes there. However, she noted that there had been no recent activity in the area, and the presence of the hearse behind the building had only become apparent in recent months.

Neighbor Ron Alexander similarly assumed that the smell was related to a septic tank issue. He described the Wednesday night scene as resembling the Fourth of July, with a flurry of law enforcement activity.

For the family of a 25-year-old U.S. Navy serviceman who passed away last summer, this discovery has raised questions. Return to Nature Funeral Home had handled the body between its arrival in Colorado and the subsequent funeral service at Pikes Peak National Cemetery east of Colorado Springs. Paul Saito Kahler, the father of the deceased serviceman, expressed uncertainty and the need for more information in light of these distressing revelations.

Return to Nature Funeral Home, as per its website, offered burial options that adhered to eco-friendly principles, eschewing embalming chemicals and promoting biodegradable caskets, shrouds, or even no casket at all. Additionally, the company provided cremation services. However, attempts to reach the Colorado Springs-based company for comment were unsuccessful.

The company had set a price of $1,895 for a “natural burial,” with additional costs for a casket and cemetery space, according to its website. Public records indicate that Return to Nature was established six years ago in Colorado Springs.

Property records in Fremont County revealed that both the funeral home building and the lot were owned by Hallfordhomes, LLC, a business associated with a Colorado Springs address. However, the Colorado Secretary of State had declared the business delinquent on October 1 for failing to submit a routine reporting form due at the end of July. Additionally, Hallfordhomes owed approximately $5,000 in property taxes for the building in Penrose in the year 2022, according to county records.

While Return to Nature Funeral Home had received licensing in Colorado Springs in 2017, there were no disciplinary actions documented against the company on the state license database. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether a separate license for the Penrose facility was required. Queries directed to licensing authorities have yet to yield responses.

In this distressing and bizarre unfolding of events, authorities continue their efforts to untangle the mysteries surrounding the discovery of these decomposing bodies within the confines of a funeral home that had purported to provide eco-conscious and respectful end-of-life services.

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