by PUEBLO, CO — Authorities uncovered a shocking discovery at a Pueblo funeral home last week, revealing 24 decomposing bodies and multiple containers of human remains hidden in a sealed room. The findings have sparked outrage across Colorado and raised serious questions about funeral home practices in the state.
The Davis Mortuary, a privately owned funeral home operated by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter and his brother Chris Cotter, was suspended after state inspectors discovered the hidden remains on August 20, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Hidden Room Reveals Decomposing Bodies and Human Tissue
In an update on August 26, the CBI confirmed that a total of 24 bodies, along with several boxes of bones and probable human tissue representing an unknown number of deceased individuals, were removed from the funeral home. The remains were transferred to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office for identification.
Investigators warned that the identification process may take months due to the condition of the remains and Davis Mortuary’s unverified record-keeping. Authorities plan to use dental X-rays, fingerprints, and DNA samples to identify the victims.
Criminal Investigation Underway
The CBI executed search warrants at the homes of Brian and Chris Cotter, though neither has been arrested or charged. Both brothers retained legal counsel, and authorities noted they are not considered a flight risk.
“The preliminary processing of the Davis Mortuary building has been completed, and the building remains locked and secured with access restricted to law enforcement,” the CBI stated.
Authorities have asked families who may have used Davis Mortuary’s services to complete a questionnaire to aid the investigation. As of August 26, 843 tips had been received, and 336 families completed the victim information questionnaire.
How the Investigation Began
The probe started after the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) reportedly found multiple decomposing bodies in a hidden room at the mortuary. Brian Cotter allegedly admitted that some bodies had been there for up to 15 years, and families may have been given fake cremains.
DORA issued a summary suspension on August 21, citing “willfully dishonest conduct and/or negligence in the practice of embalming, funeral directing, or providing for final disposition that defrauds or causes injury.”
The suspension order stated that Davis Mortuary:
- Failed to embalm, refrigerate, cremate, bury, or entomb human remains within 24 hours of taking custody.
- Maintained more human remains than it could store safely.
- Kept remains without proper refrigeration for extended periods.
Previous Funeral Home Scandals in Colorado
According to USA Today, This case is not the first of its kind in Colorado. In October 2023, authorities discovered roughly 190 improperly stored bodies at a funeral home in Penrose. The owners were accused of defrauding families by failing to provide promised cremations or burials and allegedly replacing ashes with dry concrete.
In 2023, another Colorado funeral home operator and her mother were sentenced to federal prison for selling body parts or entire bodies without family consent. Megan Hess received 20 years, and Shirley Koch got 15 years.
Additionally, in 2024, a former Denver-area funeral home owner was charged with improperly storing cremated remains and keeping a deceased woman’s body in a hearse for over a year. He later pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse and theft and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
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State Law and Regulatory Changes
For decades, Colorado had some of the weakest funeral home regulations in the U.S. Until 2024, the state did not require licensing for funeral industry workers. After multiple scandals, lawmakers passed legislation requiring licensing and regulation for mortuary science practitioners, funeral directors, embalmers, cremationists, and natural reductionists.
Despite these changes, incidents like the Davis Mortuary case highlight ongoing challenges in enforcing compliance and ensuring proper handling of human remains.
What Families Need to Know
Families who may have used Davis Mortuary are urged to contact authorities and provide information to aid in the investigation. The identification of remains is a lengthy process, and investigators caution that the true scope of mishandling may not be fully known for months.
Colorado officials, including Governor Jared Polis, have called for accountability, but as of August 26, Brian Cotter remains the Pueblo County coroner.
Key Takeaways:
- 24 bodies and multiple containers of human tissue were found at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo.
- Investigation ongoing; identification expected to take months.
- Previous Colorado funeral homes have faced similar scandals.
- Families are urged to submit information to authorities.
- Colorado’s regulatory framework has tightened but enforcement challenges remain.
Families and local residents can follow the latest updates on the Davis Mortuary investigation and related Colorado funeral home regulations by visiting ibwhsmag.com and submitting information to help authorities identify affected individuals.
