Illinois Halts Chicago Funeral Home After 50 Decomposing Bodies Found
Illinois regulators suspended the license of funeral director Johanna Morgan after more than 50 decomposing bodies were found at South Chicago Chapel on Thursday, August 6, 2026, on Chicago's Far South Side.[1]
State regulators said Morgan allowed multiple decedents to be kept in unrefrigerated areas that showed rodent infestation, visible decomposition and maggot infestation, and they suspended her license for those violations.[1] Chicago police were observed actively going in and out of the facility during the investigation.[1] Staff from Emmanuel Funeral Home & Cremation Services arrived to retrieve a body and found their calls to South Chicago Chapel unanswered, discovering the ongoing probe.[1]
State business records list Clark Morgan, Johanna Morgan's husband, as president of South Chicago Chapel.[1] Clark Morgan previously owned Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, which was shut down in 2025 amid allegations of mishandling bodies.[1] CBS News Chicago obtained photos from a trailer at Heights Crematory showing bodies partially wrapped in sheets or clear plastic, with exposed faces and body parts, raising questions about non-refrigerated storage areas.[1]
A neighbor identified only as "V" said they had smelled a persistent, strong odor from the funeral home for about a year.[1] Police and state officials were at the site into the evening as the probe continued.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- More than 50 decomposing bodies were found at a Far South Side funeral home, according to Far South Side funeral home.
- Chicago police were at South Chicago Chapel on Thursday, August 6, 2026, and were observed actively going in and out of the facility during the investigation.
- Illinois regulators suspended funeral director Johanna Morgan's license for allowing multiple decedents to be kept in an unrefrigerated area with rodent infestation, decomposition and maggot infestation.
- A neighbor identified only as "V" said they had smelled a persistent, strong odor from the funeral home for about a year, describing it as like a dead mouse.
- Staff from Emmanuel Funeral Home & Cremation Services arrived at South Chicago Chapel on the evening of Thursday, August 6, 2026, to retrieve a body and discovered the ongoing investigation after their calls to the chapel went unanswered.
- State business records list Clark Morgan, Johanna Morgan's husband, as president of South Chicago Chapel; Clark Morgan previously owned Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, which was shut down in 2025 for alleged mishandling of bodies.
- CBS News Chicago obtained photos from a trailer at Heights Crematory showing bodies partially wrapped in sheets or clear plastic bags with faces and body parts exposed, raising questions about non‑refrigerated storage areas.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Article confirms Chicago police were at South Chicago Chapel on Thursday, August 6, 2026, and are actively going in and out of the facility.
- Illinois regulators suspended funeral director Johanna Morgan's license specifically for allowing multiple decedents to be kept in an unrefrigerated area with rodent infestation, decomposition, and maggot infestation.
- A neighbor identified only as "V" reports having smelled a persistent, strong odor from the funeral home for about a year, describing it as like a dead mouse.
- Staff from Emmanuel Funeral Home & Cremation Services arrived at South Chicago Chapel on the evening of August 6 to retrieve a body and discovered the ongoing investigation after their calls to the chapel went unanswered.
- State business records list Clark Morgan, Johanna Morgan's husband, as president of South Chicago Chapel; he previously owned Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, which was shut down in 2025 for alleged mishandling of bodies.
- CBS News Chicago obtained and describes photos from a trailer at Heights Crematory showing bodies partially wrapped in sheets or clear plastic bags, with faces and body parts exposed and questions raised about non‑refrigerated storage areas.