Investigation Reveals Improper Storage of Bodies at Colorado Funeral Home

An investigation into the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado, has been launched after authorities received reports of an odor coming from the building. On Wednesday, investigators from the Fremont County Sheriff's Office gained entry to the funeral home and were shocked to discover over 115 bodies improperly stored on the premises. Concerns have been raised by the community, particularly by families who had entrusted their loved ones to the funeral home. Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper addressed the public during a news conference on Friday morning, emphasizing that the focus of the investigation is on the families affected.

The funeral home, located at 31 Werner Road, spans over 2,500 square feet. Sheriff Cooper described the air inside the facility as “horrific” without providing further details to avoid causing additional distress to the families involved. Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller declared a local disaster emergency due to the circumstances surrounding the investigation. The process of forensic identification, including fingerprints and DNA testing, is expected to take several months. Keller assured the public that the deceased will be treated with the utmost care and respect during this tragic situation.

As of Friday, no arrests have been made, and the focus of the investigation remains on the deceased and their families. Sheriff Cooper confirmed that the owners of the funeral home have been cooperative with the investigation so far. Keller declined to provide specific details about the scene where the remains were found, stating that it would be disrespectful to the families affected. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that additional field response teams and specialized laboratory teams from Quantico, Virginia, are being dispatched to Penrose to assist with the investigation.

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office is urging family members of the deceased who utilized the Return to Nature Funeral Home to contact them via email or phone. They have set up a dedicated email address and call line specifically for the families affected by this tragedy. The office has also stated that media inquiries will not be responded to, as their priority is providing support to the families. Individuals with potential information related to the criminal investigation are encouraged to email the Fremont County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities have revealed that the building in question is owned by the Return to Nature Funeral Home, which specializes in “green” burials. Deputies were initially dispatched to the building on Tuesday following reports of a suspicious incident. Upon discovering the link to the funeral home, a search warrant was executed the next day, revealing that human remains were being improperly stored on the property. The funeral home, which emphasizes eco-friendly practices on its website, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Under Colorado law, green burials are legal, but remains that are not buried within 24 hours must be refrigerated adequately. Nearby residents reported a putrid smell emanating from the building and observed a significant law enforcement presence on Wednesday night. The Colorado Department of Public Health, along with several other agencies, is assisting in the ongoing investigation. A news conference is scheduled to take place at the Fremont County Sheriff's Office on Friday to provide further updates on the investigation.