Number of decomposing bodies at abandoned house in US rises to 189

The decomposing bodies were discovered two weeks ago after authorities were alerted to a “foul smell” inside an abandoned building at the Return to Nature Funeral Home in the small town of Penrose.

All remains have been removed from the site as of October 13, but officials say the number could change again as the identification process continues.

The updated figures come as families who have worked with funeral homes grow increasingly concerned about what happened to their deceased loved ones. Local officials say they will begin notifying relatives in the coming days as bodies are identified.

Officials have not released further details about what was found inside the funeral home, but Fremont Police Chief Allen Cooper described the scene as horrific.

As of last week, more than 120 families concerned that their deceased loved ones may be among the bodies found had contacted law enforcement about the case. It could take weeks to identify the remains.

Colorado has some of the weakest funeral home oversight mechanisms in the nation, with no regular inspections or qualification requirements for funeral home operators.

There is no indication that state regulators inspected the site or contacted funeral home owner Jon Hallford more than 10 months after the funeral home's registration expired.

Mai Anh (according to AP)