Chris Johnson, the owner of a southern Georgia funeral home, has been arrested and charged with abuse of more than a dozen corpses. Authorities found 18 bodies in various stages of decomposition at the Johnson Funeral Home in Douglas while serving an eviction notice. Johnson was charged with 17 counts of abuse of a dead body and remains in jail without bond.
The bodies had been at the funeral home for months, along with a dead dog and cat. One of the bodies was reported to be a child’s. Local authorities are working to identify the deceased and notify families. Some families expressed frustration with Johnson for lack of communication and care regarding their loved ones.
In Colorado, funeral home owners Jon and Carie Hallford were ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to families after failing to cremate or bury at least 190 bodies. The couple pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and face up to 20 years in prison. Families who received what they thought were cremated remains of their loved ones were shocked by the Hallford’s negligence.
The payout from the lawsuit is intended to ensure accountability for the Hallfords, even if the chances of them complying are slim. The purpose of the legal action was to hold the couple accountable for their actions. The families affected by the negligence of the Hallfords have faced emotional distress and are seeking justice through legal means.
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