Authorities find another Colorado funeral home allegedly stockpiling bodies

A county coroner in Colorado was under investigation after it was discovered that his mortuary business had been stockpiling dozens of human remains

This discovery happened just miles from the site of an eerily similar crime in which the owner of that business was supposed to appear in court for a day later

Investigators in Pueblo say they found decomposing bodies inside the funeral home improperly stored

They also say the owner admitted to giving family members fake remains and delaying cremations for 15 years

One of the co-owners of that mortuary is also the county coroner

No charges have yet been filed, but operations at the business have stopped

We are at the very beginning of a thorough, methodical investigation. Our top priorities are to respectfully and humanely process the scene

identify all the deceased and notify their families and loved ones. Meanwhile, today's sentencing was delayed once again for John Halford on state charges of corpse

abuse. He owned a funeral home in nearby Penrose, where investigators found 190 decomposing bodies

stored at room temperature. The judge delayed sentencing today, rejecting a plea deal after

hearing statements from families involved. Halford will be back in court in two weeks

He's already been sentenced to 20 years in prison for wire fraud

It heartbreaking for families that have to go through this It just heartbreaking These investigations follow the passing of a new law in Colorado

requiring more inspections for funeral homes and crematories. The key to putting an end to this, although I doubt that it will ever end, is inspections

And, you know, as far as having the state inspectors check these places and, you know, unannounced and just show up and here I am and let me see your facility

You know, that's one way this is going to put an end to this

So what should you do if you're ever looking for a funeral home or crematorium

crematorium. Go to that funeral home and I ask them, you know, specific questions on the crematory

Where is the crematory? You know, is it, you know, is it nearby or is it 30 miles away or something

You know, and I would like to be present the day of the cremation and to watch the start of the

cremation process. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan. If you want more on this story

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