FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. — Authorities have finished removing all of the bodies that were improperly stored at a funeral home in the town of Penrose, authorities said on Tuesday.
The Fremont County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) said at least 189 bodies had been removed from the Return to Nature Funeral Home's property. They cautioned that the number could change as people are identified and as the investigation continues.
The case now moves to a second phase, that of confirming identities and notifying surviving family members, Fremont County officials said.
“We are conducting extensive coordination efforts as we focus on the identification of the decedents and provide notifications to ensure the families are given accurate information to prevent further victimization as they continue to grieve their loved ones,” said Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller.
Victim advocates, the coroner's office and others will be taking on the notification process within the coming days, officials said.
“While the investigation for this incident continues, we also remain focused on the impacted families,” said Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper. “We want to do all we can to provide the families the support they need as we shift to the next phase in this process.”
Families who have not yet contacted authorities and submitted information can do so here.
For others who think they may have a loved one impacted or have other questions, they can email penrosefuneralhome@fbi.gov. For those without email, Fremont County has a telephone hotline at 719-276-7421.
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) suspended the business license for Return to Nature's Colorado Springs location on Oct. 5.
According to an order of summary suspension, there was a report of "an abhorrent smell" coming from the property off of Werner Road in Penrose on Tuesday, Oct. 3. The following day, the program director of the Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration spoke on the phone with the owner, according to the document. It says he acknowledged that he had a "problem" at the Penrose property and claimed that he practiced taxidermy there, and he agreed to meet there later in the day to facilitate an inspection.
That same Wednesday, the document says, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Penrose property and determined that human remains were improperly stored inside. It also says the owner had tried to conceal the improper storage. The Penrose funeral home's license expired in November 2022.
No arrests have been made, and any potential charges will be determined after the investigation is completed, according to the sheriff's office.
Return to Nature has not responded to requests for comment.
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