Nearly 200 Decomposed Bodies Unearthed at Colorado Funeral Home

Two Colorado funeral home owners are facing trial after allegedly abandoning nearly 200 bodies they were responsible for cremation or burying, storing the remains in a neglected building for extended periods. Judge William Moller ruled that Carie Hallford, co-owner of Return to Nature Funeral Home, can face trial on 260 counts, including corpse abuse, money laundering, forgery, and theft.

The investigation into the funeral home's practices began in early October following reports of a foul odor emanating from the building. The Hallfords were subsequently arrested in Oklahoma around a month later.

Jon Hallford, also a co-owner, was initially scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 4. However, his defense counsel requested a continuance, citing the need to review over 7,000 pages of documents. His preliminary hearing has been rescheduled to February 8. Additionally, his bond was reduced from a $2 million cash-only bond to a $100,000 cash property or surety bond.

Judge Moller, at the request of Carie Hallford's attorney, significantly reduced her bond from $2 million to $100,000, potentially allowing her release from jail while the trial is pending. He noted that the crimes attributed to the Hallfords were not violent in nature, and Carie Hallford had no prior criminal record.

The judge remarked, "The behavior of the Hallfords was designed to prevent the discovery of the bodies." Leading up to the discovery in October, the Hallfords faced financial difficulties, missed tax payments, eviction from one of their properties, and legal action for unpaid bills from a crematory that had ceased doing business with them.

While prosecutors have not detailed a motive for the Hallfords' actions, FBI agent Andrew Cohen testified about the horrific conditions at the Penrose, Colorado building where decomposing bodies were found. The bodies were stored at room temperature, stacked on top of each other, and infested with flies and maggots.

Text messages between the Hallfords revealed growing financial pressures and fears of being caught for mishandling the bodies. Jon Hallford even suggested disposing of the bodies by burying them with other deceased individuals or treating them with lye or fire, according to the presented texts.

Judge Moller observed that the evidence pointed to a "pattern of ongoing behavior" aimed at evading detection. The Hallfords also allegedly provided concrete mix to families instead of ashes.

Carie Hallford's lawyer, Michael Stuzynski, argued that, apart from surveillance video from September 9 showing Jon Hallford moving some bodies, there was no evidence of intentional mistreatment of the remains, suggesting "passive neglect."

As the case proceeds to trial, the shocking allegations surrounding the mishandling of these bodies have left many questions unanswered and have cast a spotlight on the need for stricter oversight and regulations within the funeral home industry.
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