Authorities in Colorado uncovered approximately 20 decomposing human remains hidden behind a cardboard-covered door inside a funeral home owned and operated by a county coroner.

According to New York Post, the disturbing discovery was made during a state-led inspection of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, revealing that some bodies had been stored improperly for up to 15 years without cremation, refrigeration, or burial.

State inspectors found the remains on Wednesday while examining Davis Mortuary for the first time under new rules intended to bring oversight to funeral homes across the state. The room where the bodies were kept was concealed behind a cardboard display. Brian Cotter, one of the owners and the county coroner, reportedly asked investigators not to open the door.

Despite Cotter's request, investigators entered the hidden area after noticing a powerful odor they identified as decomposition. Inside, they discovered around 20 corpses in various states of decay. Officials now face the lengthy task of confirming the exact number of bodies and notifying family members of the deceased.

According to a report from state regulators, Cotter admitted that some of the remains had been awaiting cremation for over a decade. It is also suspected that some families may have received fake cremated ashes in place of their loved ones’ actual remains.

Hidden Room With Remains Sparks Statewide Concern

Armando Saldate III, head of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, described the case as a serious breach of trust. Speaking at a Thursday press briefing, he said families had been betrayed by the very institution meant to care for their loved ones after death. He added that evidence suggests Davis Mortuary may have mishandled human remains for years.

As of Thursday, investigators had not yet removed the remains. Authorities emphasized that they are working diligently to handle the situation with respect and care. Saldate explained that each body would need to be identified, and next of kin would be contacted, a process expected to take time.

During the investigation, law enforcement collected evidence from the premises with assistance from state police trained to deal with hazardous materials. The findings have prompted serious questions about the oversight and accountability of funeral services in the state.

Funeral Home Operations Suspended by Officials

In light of the grim discovery, Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) issued a summary suspension of Davis Mortuary. The report cited dishonest conduct and negligence in funeral services, including failure to properly preserve, cremate, or inter remains within the legal time frame after taking custody.

The document stated that Davis Mortuary did not refrigerate or embalm the remains within 24 hours, as required. These findings were made public by the local newspaper, the Pueblo Chieftain, following the release of the suspension order.

Cotter, who is serving his third term as Pueblo County’s elected coroner and co-owns the mortuary with his brother Chris, has not been charged or arrested. The investigation remains ongoing, as announced by District Attorney Kala Beauvais.

Longstanding Business Tied to Grim Discovery

The Cotter family’s involvement in the funeral industry spans decades. Brian and Chris Cotter took ownership of Davis Mortuary in 1989, continuing a family legacy dating back further. Their father also operated funeral homes in various Midwestern states, including Kansas and Nebraska.

Multiple officials have linked the current situation to policy failures. Colorado has long lacked strong oversight for funeral businesses, with few requirements for operator training or regular inspections. That regulatory vacuum may have allowed incidents like this one to go unnoticed for years.

The recent visit to Davis Mortuary was the first under new state regulations passed last year in response to earlier scandals involving improper handling of the dead. These rules aimed to prevent the very circumstances now unfolding in Pueblo.

Earlier Scandal Offers Grim Parallel

This incident follows another high-profile case just 30 miles away, in which nearly 200 decomposing bodies were found inside the Back to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs. That case led to serious criminal charges against funeral home operators Jon and Carie Hallford.

The Hallfords reportedly collected over $130,000 from families for services they never performed. They allegedly returned cement powder instead of ashes and, in some cases, buried the wrong corpses. They now face federal and state charges, including corpse abuse, theft, and fraud.

Saldate acknowledged the parallels between the two cases and noted that some of the investigators focused on the Davis Mortuary scene had also worked on the earlier scandal. He emphasized that this experience would help ensure a thorough investigation.

The state has reaffirmed its commitment to holding those responsible accountable and safeguarding the dignity of the deceased. The process, however, is expected to be slow and heavily scrutinized as authorities continue piecing together what went wrong.