PENROSE, Colorado – A small town in Colorado was recently rocked by a horrifying revelation at a local funeral home. The Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose had been emitting a putrid stench for several days, prompting authorities to launch an investigation on October 8. What they uncovered was nothing short of shocking: 115 decomposing bodies stored in improper conditions within the facility.
The investigation into the funeral home unfolded slowly, with details gradually coming to light. A team of authorities, including investigators typically assigned to airline crashes, several coroners, and the FBI, made the grim discovery of bodies in various stages of decay. The man in charge of the facility, Jon Hallford, initially tried to conceal the improper storage, claiming he was engaged in taxidermy on the premises.
Further investigation revealed that Hallford had been conducting green burials, a process that avoids the use of embalming chemicals or metal caskets. While Hallford admitted to issues at the facility, the Colorado Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration letter did not specifically mention the alleged taxidermy or improper storage of bodies. However, it did note that the facility’s registration had expired in November 2022.
Despite the shocking find, no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed. Officials at the funeral home are cooperating with the ongoing investigation, according to Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper. The process of identifying the bodies, which were stored in a 2,500-square-foot facility resembling a single-story home, is expected to take several months, according to Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller. This identification process will involve fingerprints, dental records, medical records, and DNA tests.
The funeral home charged $1,895 for a “natural burial,” which excludes the typical elements of a traditional burial. While Colorado law permits green burials, it stipulates that bodies not buried within 24 hours must be properly refrigerated.
Authorities are working diligently to bring closure to the families affected by this disturbing situation. As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the unsettling reality that their loved ones may have been mistreated in their final resting place.