PENROSE, Colo. — The FBI released more information on efforts to remove at least 189 dead bodies that were improperly stored at a southern Colorado funeral home.
Fremont County Sheriff's Office searched the Return to Nature Funeral Home's property in Penrose on Oct. 4 after a report was made the previous day of "an abhorrent smell" coming from the property off Werner Road, according to an order of summary suspension.
The order says the owner had tried to conceal the improper storage. The Penrose funeral home's license expired in November 2022.
Sheriff Allen Cooper called the scene "horrific" and asked to FBI and Colorado Bureau of Investigation for assistance.
The FBI's Technical Hazards Response Unit gave specialized support due to serious biohazard conditions and other hazards. That team is specifically trained to work treacherous or difficult-to-access crime scenes so evidence can be safely gathered.
"The conditions were challenging, both mentally and physically," the FBI said in a release.
The hazard unit worked 12-hour days documenting the crime scene, transferring bodies to refrigerated trailers and ensuring the safety of personnel in the toxic environment. They wore hazmat suits and were in the building for no longer than 40 minutes at a time. They also had to be fully decontaminated when exiting.
The remains were then transported to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, where they were identified using techniques including fingerprinting, DNA collection and dental X-rays.
The families of the deceased are being notified as they are identified.
The FBI Laboratory Division's Disaster Victim Identification Squad, Evidence Response Team Unit and Colorado Air National Guard's Fatality Search and Rescue Team were also deployed to help the FBI Denver Evidence Response Team and the Hazardous Evidence Response Team.
"This is our commitment to our partners and our community: We will be with them for as long as it takes to ensure all hazards are mitigated, the conditions of the scene are fully documented, and all human remains are recovered in a dignified manner," said Mark Michalek, FBI Denver's special agent in charge.
The FBI said how long the bodies were left in the funeral home and the circumstances surrounding their improper storage are still under investigation.
No arrests have been made, and any potential charges will be determined after the investigation is completed, according to the sheriff's office.
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