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A Colorado funeral home owner is facing sentencing for keeping 189 decomposing bodies in unsanitary conditions while deceiving families with fake ashes. Jon Hallford, co-owner of Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, and his then-wife, Carie Hallford, pleaded guilty to nearly 200 counts of corpse abuse.
Details of the Case
The Hallfords stashed the bodies in a building located in Penrose, Colorado, between 2019 and 2023. This extensive abuse came to light when investigators responded to complaints about a foul smell emanating from the site.
Sentencing and Charges
- Jon Hallford faces a prison sentence of 30 to 50 years.
- Carie Hallford could receive 25 to 35 years in prison.
- Sentencing for both individuals is scheduled for April 24, 2024.
Upon investigation, authorities found the bodies in horrendous conditions, some piled atop each other, surrounded by insects and decomposition fluids. The remains included those of adults, infants, and fetuses, all being stored at room temperature.
Family Impact and Fraud Charges
Many grieving families learned that the ashes they had received were merely dry concrete, not the remains of their loved ones. This misinformation severely affected their grieving process, leading to nightmares and feelings of betrayal.
In addition to the corpse abuse charges, the Hallfords pleaded guilty to federal fraud allegations. They reportedly defrauded the government of nearly $900,000 in pandemic relief funds. Jon Hallford was sentenced to 20 years for this crime in June 2023. During that hearing, he expressed regret, stating, “I still hate myself for what I’ve done.”
- Carie Hallford’s federal sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2024.
Lavish Spending and Discrepancies
Despite the serious nature of their offenses, the Hallfords living excessively during the time they were abusing corpses was revealed in court documents. Their purchases included a GMC Yukon, an Infiniti, luxury goods, and even cryptocurrency worth over $31,000.
Significantly, one of the bodies belonged to a former Army sergeant first class, who was mistakenly believed to have been buried at a veterans’ cemetery. The correct remains were eventually honored with a funeral service at Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
Regulatory Changes
The grave misconduct uncovered in this case has prompted scrutiny and subsequent changes to Colorado’s funeral home regulations. Authorities are working to ensure such practices are not repeated in the future.
