US EditionDecomposing Bodies Found Behind Hidden Door at Pueblo Funeral Home Run by County Coroner
Inspectors found about 20 decomposing bodies hidden behind a concealed door at the funeral home, with some remains kept for up to 15 years and potential issuance of fake cremains.
- On August 20, 2025, inspectors carried out a required annual review at Davis Mortuary, a funeral establishment in Pueblo, Colorado, for which Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter serves as the designated representative.
- The inspection followed new state laws requiring routine funeral home inspections enacted earlier this year after a separate case involving improper storage of nearly 200 bodies.
- During the inspection, officials uncovered a concealed door hidden behind a cardboard display and, upon entering the secret room, discovered multiple bodies in differing states of decay.
- Brian Cotter admitted the bodies were awaiting cremation, acknowledged some had been stored for about fifteen years, and stated he may have issued fake cremains to next-of-kin.
- Consequently, Davis Mortuary was placed under a summary suspension, and the investigation was transferred to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, with ongoing legal actions involving Cotter and the mortuary.
79 Articles
79 Articles
Colorado funeral home investigated after 20 bodies found decomposing, some for over a decade, behind hidden door
The bodies were found this week in a room behind a door that was hidden by a cardboard display during an inspection of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo on Wednesday after Brian Cotter, an owner and the county coroner, asked them not to go inside the room, according to a document from state regulators.
Dead body problem; Next with Kyle Clark (8/21/25)
A new Colorado law led to a gruesome discovery at a funeral home in Pueblo. - DU is scaling back its DEI programs to fall in line with directives from the Trump administration. - Colorado's legislators come back to work to close a huge budget gap.
Colorado funeral home investigated after decomposing bodies found behind hidden door
DENVER (AP) — Colorado authorities said Thursday they are investigating a funeral home operated by a county coroner where inspectors found several decomposing bodies. The bodies were found this week in a room behind a door that was hidden by a cardboard display during an inspection of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo on Wednesday after Brian Cotter, an owner and the county coroner, asked them not to go inside the room, according to a document from state…
Denver Post
Longmont Times-CallDecomposing bodies found behind hidden door in funeral home run by Pueblo County coroner
Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter is the appointed designee for Davis Mortuary at 128 Broadway Ave. in Pueblo, which is now under investigation
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
