“Bodies Left for 15 Years”: Colorado funeral home scandal rocks Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. – What started as a routine inspection has spiraled into one of the most disturbing funeral home scandals in Colorado history. State inspectors say they found bodies in “various stages of decomposition” inside Davis Mortuary in Pueblo—some possibly left for 15 years—and families may have been handed fake ashes.

The discovery has sparked a massive criminal investigation led by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A Discovery No One Wanted

Sam Delp, Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), confirmed his inspectors made the grim discovery during Davis Mortuary’s first-ever annual inspection, authorized by a 2024 state law.

The facility’s license was suspended on the spot. “We issued a summary suspension because we had reasonable suspicion Davis Mortuary violated multiple provisions of the mortuary science code,” Delp said, citing failures to embalm, cremate, or refrigerate remains within 24 hours.

Delp added that no one working at Davis Mortuary held an individual professional license—those aren’t required until 2027 under new legislation.

“Profound Violation of Trust”

CBI Director Armando Saldate called the case “a heartbreaking betrayal.”

“This is a day no one wants to see. Davis Mortuary improperly stored human remains for years. This is a profound violation of trust and a heartbreaking betrayal of the families who entrusted their loved ones to this funeral home,” Saldate said.

CBI agents—many of whom worked the Return to Nature case—executed search warrants while hazmat crews helped process the scene. At least 20 bodies have been confirmed so far, but investigators warn the number could rise.

Authorities also revealed disturbing claims that fake cremains may have been given to grieving families.

The Coroner Under Fire

Adding to the scandal, Davis Mortuary’s appointed designee is Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter, who admitted to inspectors that remains had been awaiting cremation for up to 15 years.

Governor Jared Polis has now publicly called for Cotter’s immediate resignation. “This morning I called for the Pueblo County Coroner to resign immediately,” Polis said, adding that the state has mobilized $300,000 in emergency funds to support the investigation and continuity of coroner services.

Sheriff David Lucero echoed the demand: “I also believe it’s important for Mr. Cotter to resign, given the impact this event has caused”.

For now, coroner duties in Pueblo have been handed over to El Paso and Fremont County coroners, both deputized to take charge.

Families Left in Agony

District Attorney Caleb Bove urged patience but admitted the road ahead will be long:

“Real life is not like TV. Charges cannot be filed until the investigation is complete. We only get one chance at prosecution, and we need to do it right,” she said.

In less than 24 hours after the news broke, nearly 500 calls flooded the CBI tip line, desperate to know if their loved ones were among the unidentified remains. Officials have since launched a secure online portal with a QR code to collect information from families to speed up the identification process.

What’s Next?

The investigation could stretch for months, involving DNA testing and forensic analysis. Charges are unlikely to come quickly.

Governor Polis pledged continued support but said the scandal exposed a dangerous gap in oversight. “This likely would have been discovered someday, but more families could have been victimized. Thanks to new inspections, it was uncovered earlier,” he said.

As for accountability, Pueblo’s coroner remains in office, at least for now. Without a statutory mechanism to remove him, officials are calling for legislative reform to ensure counties have a way to act when an elected coroner faces criminal investigation.