Demolition commenced on Tuesday at the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado, following a shocking discovery that has left the community reeling. Carie Hallford, 46, and her husband, Jon Hallford, 43, stand accused of perpetrating a heinous scheme involving the mishandling of deceased individuals entrusted to their care.
The couple allegedly accepted payments from grieving families for cremations, only to abandon the bodies of 189 victims within the confines of the funeral home. In a disturbing twist, the Hallfords are accused of providing families with falsified death certificates and bags of concrete powder instead of their loved ones’ ashes. The couple now faces multiple felony charges, as well as 15 federal crimes.
A ceremony was held prior to the demolition, allowing the families of the deceased victims to find solace and closure. Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller expressed his empathy, acknowledging the emotional toll this ordeal has taken on his office as well.
The investigation was initiated in early October when the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a foul odor emanating from the funeral home located at 31 Werner Road. Upon further inspection, authorities discovered the remains of the victims, ranging from a stillborn baby to individuals in their 80s, in various stages of decomposition.
The bodies, with the earliest date of death in September 2019 and the most recent in August 2023, have since been removed from the facility and transferred to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office. As of Tuesday, all but 17 of the victims have been identified.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its contractors conducted an assessment of the property on November 15, determining that a “removal action” was necessary due to the presence of biological and hazardous materials. The demolition process, expected to last approximately 10 days, began on Tuesday, weather permitting.
To ensure safety during the demolition, the EPA’s contractors implemented rodent control measures and applied a disinfectant and odor suppressant within the building. The use of peroxyacetic acid (PAA), a vinegar-based solution, was employed for the disinfection process. Excavators have commenced breaking down the structure from the top, aiming to keep the debris within the foundation footprint.
During the demolition, the EPA will employ dust suppression techniques using water and other liquid solutions, carefully avoiding excessive quantities that could lead to contamination runoff. The debris will be loaded into lined trucks, which will be sealed and covered before transportation to the landfill in Otero County.
Once the building and concrete foundation slab have been removed, the EPA will conduct a shallow surface scrape of the soils within the building’s footprint. These soils will undergo the same disposal process as the building materials. Following the completion of the EPA’s role, the property will be returned to either the County or the property owner.
The demolition of the Return to Nature Funeral Home marks a significant step towards closure and healing for the victims’ families and the community at large. The shocking revelations surrounding this case have left a lasting impact, underscoring the need for stringent oversight and accountability within the funeral industry.
