Colorado Funeral Home Owner Faces Up to 50 Years for Hiding 189 Bodies and Handing Out Fake Ashes
Jon and Carie Hallford pleaded guilty in December to nearly 200 counts of corpse abuse after investigators found 189 decaying bodies stacked at room temperature in their Penrose funeral home, with swarms of insects, decomposition fluids on floors and evidence families were given dry concrete instead of ashes. They face long prison terms at an April 24 hearing — Jon Hallford 30–50 years and Carie Hallford 25–35 years — after a judge rejected lighter plea deals as too lenient; prosecutors also say the pair fraudulently obtained nearly $900,000 in pandemic small‑business aid, and Jon, who previously served a 20‑year federal sentence, told the court “everything got completely out of control, especially me.”
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Jon and Carie Hallford pleaded guilty in December to nearly 200 counts of corpse abuse in a case involving 189 bodies.
- At an April 24 hearing, prosecutors say Jon Hallford faces 30–50 years in state prison and Carie Hallford faces 25–35 years.
- Investigators found bodies stacked at room temperature inside the Penrose building, with swarms of insects and decomposition fluids covering floors.
- Investigators believe families were given dry concrete instead of cremated remains; one veteran was initially buried with the wrong remains and was later reinterred with a full‑honors military funeral.
- A state judge rejected earlier plea deals capped at 20 years as too lenient after families objected.
- The Hallfords fraudulently obtained nearly $900,000 in pandemic small‑business aid; Jon Hallford has a prior 20‑year federal sentence and told a judge, "everything got completely out of control, especially me."
đź“° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms both Jon and Carie Hallford pleaded guilty in December to nearly 200 counts of corpse abuse under a plea agreement.
- Specifies sentencing exposure: Jon Hallford faces 30–50 years in state prison; Carie Hallford faces 25–35 years at an April 24 hearing.
- Details investigators’ findings inside the Penrose building: bodies stacked at room temperature with swarms of insects and decomposition fluids covering floors.
- Describes investigators’ belief that families were given dry concrete instead of ashes, and that one supposed veteran’s burial contained the wrong remains, later corrected with a full‑honors military funeral.
- Adds that a state judge previously rejected lighter plea deals (capped at 20 years) as too lenient after families objected.
- Reiterates that the Hallfords fraudulently obtained nearly $900,000 in pandemic small‑business aid and notes Jon’s prior 20‑year federal sentence and his courtroom statement that 'everything got completely out of control, especially me.'