DENVER — Colorado officials have launched an investigation into a funeral home owned by the local coroner, where inspectors discovered several decomposing bodies during a recent inspection. The unsettling findings were uncovered at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, where a strong smell of decay led investigators to a concealed room behind a cardboard display.

According to state regulatory documents, Brian Cotter, who co-owns the mortuary and serves as the county coroner, requested that inspectors not enter the room where the disturbing conditions were found. Reports suggest that some bodies at the facility have been awaiting cremation for as long as 15 years, and Cotter allegedly provided families with what may have been counterfeit cremated remains, prompting the suspension of the funeral home’s license.

Historically, Colorado has had minimal regulations governing funeral homes, resulting in significant lapses in oversight. The state has faced criticism for lacking routine inspections and strict qualification standards for funeral home operators, which has led to multiple incidents of malpractice. Notably, an ongoing case involves the discovery of nearly 200 decomposing bodies that were improperly stored at a facility in Penrose, approximately 30 miles from Pueblo.

As part of this larger probe, one of the owners from that previous case is scheduled to be sentenced for corpse abuse on Friday, highlighting a pattern of negligence within the state’s funeral industry.

Cotter and his brother became owners of Davis Mortuary in 1989, claiming to follow an “old school” approach to funeral services based on methods they learned from their father, who also managed funeral homes across Colorado and neighboring states. Contacted for comment, an employee at the mortuary declined to provide any statements or avail Cotter for an interview, and efforts to reach Cotter through the Coroner’s office have gone unanswered.

Authorities from multiple agencies, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement, are set to hold a press conference to outline the specifics of this criminal investigation. Their findings could lead to significant reforms in how funeral homes are regulated within the state, addressing longstanding concerns surrounding public health and safety. The investigation continues to unfold, prompting community members to express their distress over the disturbing allegations surrounding a key local service.