The legal troubles for a Colorado funeral home owner accused of keeping a corpse in a hearse for over a year and improperly storing the cremated remains of dozens of people have escalated, with prosecutors filing new charges in the case.
Miles Harford, 34, was set to be arraigned Monday on charges including forgery, abuse of a corpse, and theft. However, the hearing was delayed once again after prosecutors added more charges, marking the fifth postponement in the high-profile case.
Additional Charges Filed Against Harford
New charges against Harford include three additional counts of abuse of a corpse for allegedly treating remains in ways that would “outrage normal family sensibilities.” The alleged incidents date back to 2019.
Prosecutors also added four more theft charges, two of which involve at-risk victims. Details about how the funds were taken or the nature of the thefts were not disclosed in court documents.
Harford, who is represented by public defenders, has not entered a plea. His next court hearing is scheduled for January 17.
Disturbing Discovery: Body in Hearse and Ashes in Crawl Space
Harford was arrested in February after authorities found the body of Christina Rosales, a 63-year-old woman who died of Alzheimer’s, in the back of a hearse covered in blankets. Investigators also discovered the cremated remains of at least 30 people improperly stored across a rental property, including inside the hearse and a crawl space.
As of February, authorities had identified the remains of 18 individuals. In March, more ashes were uncovered, with prosecutors warning that additional charges could follow.
Colorado Funeral Industry Under Scrutiny
Harford’s case is the latest in a series of funeral home scandals that have plagued Colorado in recent years. Past cases have involved illegal sales of body parts and the mishandling of nearly 200 bodies. These incidents have led to charges for funeral home operators, including abuse of corpses and defrauding customers.
Colorado’s funeral home regulations have long been considered among the weakest in the nation. However, public outrage and high-profile prosecutions have prompted legislative reforms. Earlier this year, Governor Jared Polis signed two bills into law aimed at strengthening oversight of the funeral industry and aligning Colorado’s regulations with national standards.
