Police investigate after reports of a foul odor, uncovering a house of horrors.
The Chilling Discovery
In an unsettling discovery, the small town of Penrose, Colorado, has become the center of a macabre incident that has shocked the nation.
From Foul Odor to Pure Horror
What began as a foul odor reported at the Return to Nature funeral home soon unraveled into a horrific revelation, as authorities found and removed the remains of at least 189 bodies, far surpassing the initial count of 115.
Alarming Questions Raised
This bone-chilling incident raises alarming questions about the funeral industry and regulatory oversight, underscoring the need for stricter measures.
“Abhorrent Smell”
The authorities’ investigation into this grim matter unfolded when they responded to a complaint of a noxious smell coming from the dilapidated premises of the Return to Nature funeral home.
Unveiling the Grisly Scene
Inside this rundown building, a scene of horror awaited them, as they discovered decomposing bodies.
Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper aptly described the situation as “horrific,” sending shockwaves through the community and beyond.
Unraveling a Tirade of Troubles
The unraveling of this ghastly situation is linked to the owners of the funeral home, who had been embroiled in a series of issues prior to this gruesome discovery.
Evictions & Lawsuits
Their financial troubles began with missed tax payments, leading to their eviction from one of their properties.
Furthermore, they faced a lawsuit for unpaid bills by a crematory that ceased doing business with them nearly a year ago.
Owner Admitted to “Problem” Earlier This Year
The sinister puzzle took an even darker turn when the owner, Jon Hallford, admitted to having a “problem” at the Penrose site during a phone call with state officials, although he claimed it was only a place where he practiced taxidermy.
“Green” Burials – What Are They?
The Return to Nature funeral home offered a unique service, specializing in cremations and “green” burials without the use of embalming fluids.
LAX Regulations
While green burials are legally permissible in Colorado, state regulations mandate that any body not buried within 24 hours must be refrigerated properly.
This revelation underscores the need for more comprehensive regulation in an industry where the rules are startlingly lax.
Families’ Agonizing Quest for Answers
As the grim details of this case emerged, over 120 families contacted law enforcement with concerns that their loved ones might be among the unidentified remains.
Painstaking Process of Identification
The painstaking process of identifying the bodies is expected to take weeks, leaving families in a state of agonizing uncertainty.
Colorado’s Regulations Under Scrutiny
Colorado’s funeral home regulations have come under scrutiny, as the state boasts some of the weakest rules in the nation.
With no routine inspections or stringent qualification requirements for funeral home operators, this shocking discovery sheds light on the critical need for reform.
Lack of Funding Means Lack of Oversight
While state lawmakers granted regulators the authority to inspect funeral homes without owners’ consent, the lack of additional funding for increased inspections remains a glaring oversight.
Dignity for the Deceased
The discovery of 189 decaying bodies sends a chilling message that demands immediate attention and reform to ensure that such tragedies do not recur.
It is a stark call to action for the authorities to strengthen oversight and uphold the dignity of the deceased.
The post Colorado’s House of Horrors as 189 Bodies Unearthed – Decay & Despair Reveals Chilling Tale first appeared on The Public Slate.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alexandros Michailidis. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.