Takeaways from AP’s report on a woman whose body was among 189 left to decay in a funeral home

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by By JESSE BEDAYNFebruary 6, 2026 at 03:23 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

In Penrose, Colorado, the Return to Nature Funeral Home was found to have stored 189 decaying bodies over four years. The funeral home owners, Jon and Carie Hallford, were arrested in Oklahoma in November 2023 and charged with abusing corpses after authorities discovered the bodies. One victim's son, Derrick Johnson, learned the ashes he received were not his mother's, whose body was among those improperly stored. The Hallfords also defrauded the government of nearly $900,000 in pandemic aid, spending the money on luxury items while neglecting their business and families who entrusted them with remains. The case prompted Colorado lawmakers to overhaul the state's funeral home regulations. Jon Hallford is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Maui 40% Oklahoma 40% FBI 50% Colorado Springs, Colorado ×360% Ellen Marie Shriver-Lopes ×270% Penrose, Colorado ×270% Jon Hallford ×270% Carie Hallford ×270% Derrick Johnson ×280% Return to Nature Funeral Home ×390%

Keywords

funeral home 100% decaying bodies 90% corpses 80% fraud 70% carie hallford 60% cremations 60% jon hallford 60% funeral home regulations 50% colorado 50% return to nature funeral home 40%