By John Dobberstein, Editor
Owners of a Colorado funeral home where authorities discovered nearly 200 mishandled bodies were arrested in Wagoner, a district attorney said.
Jon Hallford and Carie Hallford, owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs and Penrose, were arrested in Wagoner on suspicion of abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering and forgery, all felonies, said Michael J. Allen, District Attorney for Colorado’s 4th Judicial District.
An investigation was launched in October when the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a foul odor coming from the funeral home’s facility in Penrose. FSCO received a warrant to search the premises, where they discovered improperly stored bodies.
The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s office will review the investigation and file the appropriate charges in El Paso County District Court.
Because the Hallfords were arrested in a different state, their first advisement in El Paso County District Court will be determined during the extradition process.
In the meantime, investigators from multiple agencies continue their work to identify bodies discovered during this investigation, Allen said.
It’s not clear what ties the suspects had, if any, to Wagoner or Oklahoma. A press officer for Allen’s office was unable answer additional questions Wednesday due to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have asked anyone who knew someone that worked with the Return to Nature Funeral Home between September 2019 and September 2023, please complete the Seeking Victim Information Questionnaire.
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