Jon and Carie Hallford, owners of the now-shuttered Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado, are expected to plead guilty Friday to state charges stemming from the mistreatment of 190 decaying bodies and defrauding grieving families.
Grim Discovery: 190 Bodies Found in Decrepit Building
The charges follow a horrifying discovery last year when authorities uncovered improperly stored remains at a building in Penrose, Colorado. Bodies were found stacked atop each other, some swarming with insects, and in states of advanced decay. The building’s toxic conditions forced responders to wear hazmat gear, limiting their time inside.
Prosecutors allege the Hallfords stored the bodies as far back as 2019 and provided families with fake ashes made of dry concrete. The deception devastated loved ones, many of whom spread the fake ashes in meaningful locations or kept them at home, believing they were honoring their deceased.
Lavish Spending and Federal Fraud
Prosecutors claim the Hallfords lived lavishly off the money paid by customers and nearly $900,000 in pandemic relief funds. Records show they spent the money on luxury items, including laser body sculpting treatments, expensive cars, cryptocurrency, and trips to Las Vegas and Florida.
Last month, the Hallfords pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges, admitting to defrauding both customers and the federal government. In state court, they face over 200 charges, including corpse abuse, theft, forgery, and money laundering.
Awaiting Sentencing
As the Hallfords prepare to enter their guilty pleas, the families of their victims and the broader community await closure. The couple’s sentencing will mark a pivotal moment in a case that has reshaped Colorado’s approach to funeral home oversight.