US EditionColorado Governor Demands Coroner’s Resignation After Decomposing Bodies Found in Funeral Home
The mortuary operated by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter concealed nearly 20 decomposing bodies, some for up to 15 years, sparking a criminal probe and suspension of its license.
- On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies inspectors found at least 20 decomposing bodies in a room concealed behind a cardboard display at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado.
- The inspection followed new state oversight enacted last year, revealing issues after a 2023 Penrose scandal where nearly 190 bodies were improperly stored at Return to Nature Funeral Home under HB24-1335.
- Inspectors say Cotter acknowledged some bodies awaited cremation for about 15 years and he may have given families fake cremains at Davis Mortuary.
- Colorado authorities suspended Davis Mortuary's license Friday, Gov. Jared Polis and Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero demanded Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter's resignation, while El Paso and Fremont county coroners now manage Coroner's Office duties.
- Investigators are conducting a two-pronged probe led by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which could take months and has received more than 500 calls from families and loved ones, with Fremont and El Paso county coroners handling interim operations.
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Authorities find another Colorado funeral home allegedly stockpiling bodies
Authorities in Colorado announced an investigation into a county coroner whose mortuary allegedly stockpiled corpses. It happened just miles from the scene of a strikingly similar crime that also saw nearly 200 decaying bodies stashed in a funeral home. Pueblo investigation This latest investigation focuses on Davis Mortuary in Pueblo. Brian Cotter, one of the owners of the mortuary who’s also the county coroner, reportedly asked inspectors to a…
20 decomposing bodies found in Colorado funeral home owned by county coroner
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has urged Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter to resign after investigators found more than 20 decomposed bodies inside a funeral home he co-owned. “This morning I called for Pueblo County coroner Brian Cotter to resign immediately,” Governor Polis said in a press briefing on Friday. “Truly our hearts across the state of Colorado are with Pueblo County residents, particularly those who might have a loved one with an …
Colorado governor demands coroner’s resignation after decomposing bodies found in funeral home
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday called for a county coroner to resign immediately after state inspectors found at least 20 decomposing bodies behind a hidden door in a funeral home he owns.
Pueblo coroner urged higher standards for the office as bodies were stored improperly at his business
By his own admission in state documents, the Pueblo County Coroner's private business had improperly stored bodies for 15 years. He's held elected office for 10 years and in that time even advocated for higher standards for those seeking his office in the future.State inspectors believe there may be about 20 bodies that were improperly stored inside Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, which is co-owned by the coroner, Brian Cotter, and his brother. Law en…
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