At least 189 decaying bodies were found at a Colorado funeral home, up from the initial 115 reported when the bodies were first discovered a few weeks ago, officials said.
Authorities were first alerted after being called about a foul odour coming from The Return to Nature Funeral Home, which specialises in “green burials”.
One official described the scene as “horrific” and “hazardous”.
The FBI is helping in the identification of the remains.
Located in Penrose, Colorado – about 30 miles (48km) south of Colorado Springs – The Return to Nature Funeral Home specialises in burials where no chemicals, including embalming fluid, are used and where remains are buried in a biodegradable casket.
After searching the 2,500 sq ft (232 sq m) funeral home in Penrose, Colorado – about 30 miles (48km) south of Colorado Springs – authorities discovered “improperly stored” bodies, which created a “horrific” and “hazardous scene”.
The poor conditions caused one paramedic that arrived at the scene to develop a rash and had to be medically evaluated, according to Fremont County, Sheriff Allen Cooper.
Green funerals are allowed in the state but remains must be buried within 24 hours or properly refrigerated.
The newly discovered bodies were removed from the funeral home by October 13 and transported to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.
Officials say the number of bodies found “could change as the identification and investigative processes continue”.
—BBC
