US EditionColorado Gov Declares Disaster Emergency After Bodies Found Behind Hidden Door in Coroner's Mortuary
Governor Polis declared a disaster emergency to allocate $300,000 for mitigation after discovery of over 20 decomposing bodies stored improperly for up to 15 years in Pueblo County mortuary.
- On Monday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for Pueblo County, enabling access to state resources and transferring $300,000 from the State Emergency Reserve Cash Fund to the Disaster Emergency Fund for cleanup.
- During an Aug. 20 inspection, Department of Regulatory Agencies inspectors discovered a concealed room behind a cardboard display at Davis Mortuary containing around 20 or so bodies; this was the first inspection under new funeral-industry oversight laws adopted last year.
- CBI said all bodies were 'respectfully removed' over the weekend; investigators will identify remains using dental X-rays, fingerprints and DNA samples, noting DNA cannot be obtained from ashes.
- Governor Jared Polis demanded Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter resign, saying `it is clear public trust has been lost`; Cotter remained in office as of Aug. 25 while DORA suspended Davis Mortuary's license.
- The episode underscores longstanding gaps in funeral-home oversight in Colorado, where laws adopted last year initiated first-time inspections and new certified death investigator or forensic pathologist requirements for counties with populations greater than 150,000.
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PUEBLO, Colo. (KTLO)--We are learning more about the bodies found inside the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo. Families in the area are now searching for answers and on Monday, after being elected to a position with the city, city members are expected to resign from his position. Mayor Heather Graham and Sheriff’s Chief David Lucero have asked Cotter to also step down from his title as the former medical examiner and any other positions he holds as a le…
·Colorado Springs, United States
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution88% Center
Bias Distribution
- 88% of the sources are Center
88% Center
13%
C 88%
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