Colorado Springs Funeral Home Owners Arrested in Oklahoma on Multiple Charges
The owners of a funeral home in Colorado Springs, where 190 decaying bodies were discovered “improperly stored,” have been arrested in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Jon and Carie Hallford were taken into custody on suspicion of four felonies, including abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering, and forgery, according to Colorado’s 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen.
The arrest was made with the assistance of several agencies, including the FBI’s Oklahoma City division. Allen stated that the arrest went smoothly without any issues. The investigation into the case began in October 2023 when the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a foul odor emanating from the Return to Nature Funeral Home.
During a press conference, Allen refrained from disclosing any specific details of the case to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing prosecution and investigation. The court documents related to the case have also been sealed temporarily. Allen explained that the sealing was necessary to protect the investigation and the arrest process. However, he mentioned that the information contained in the affidavit is shocking and will be made available at an appropriate time determined by a judge.
According to a state document cited by the Associated Press, Jon Hallford, the funeral home owner, allegedly attempted to hide the improper storage of corpses by claiming to engage in taxidermy at the facility. The Colorado Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration stated that Hallford acknowledged having a “problem” at the property. The facility’s registration has been expired since November 2022.
The Fremont County Coroner, Randy Keller, confirmed that 190 decaying bodies were discovered at the funeral home. Out of these, 110 individuals have been positively identified, while efforts are underway to identify the remaining bodies through dental records, fingerprints, and medical hardware. If necessary, DNA testing will be employed. So far, 25 bodies have been released to their families, and the coroner’s office has been actively notifying families across the country. At least 137 families have been contacted, and officials are urging anyone who used the services of Return to Nature Funeral Home between September 2019 and the present to come forward.
The Hallfords are currently being held in Muskogee County Jail on a $2 million cash bond. The extradition process will commence, and a judge in Oklahoma will oversee the proceedings. The Colorado’s 4th Judicial District Attorney’s office will lead the investigation and prosecution against the Hallfords.
The reasons behind the couple’s presence in Oklahoma remain unclear, as various agencies have been unable to provide an answer. For more news, weather, sports, and streaming video, visit KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
