A hearse and van sit outside the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colo., on Oct. 6, 2023.
David Zalubowski/AP
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David Zalubowski/AP
DENVER — The owner of a Colorado funeral home who stored nearly 190 dead bodies in a deteriorating building and deceived grieving families with fake ashes has been sentenced to the maximum of 20 years in prison. Jon Hallford, the owner of Return to Nature Funeral Home, was found guilty of cheating customers and defrauding the federal government of almost $900,000 in COVID-19 aid.
Jon Hallford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court, as well as 191 counts of corpse abuse in state court. His sentencing in the state case is scheduled for August.
During the sentencing hearing, federal prosecutors pushed for a 15-year sentence, while Hallford’s attorney requested 10 years. The judge ultimately decided on the maximum sentence, citing the severity of the crime and its impact on families.
“This is not an ordinary fraud case,” Judge Nina Wang stated.
Before the sentencing, Hallford expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging that his intentions to positively impact people’s lives through his business spiraled out of control.
Hallford and his wife, Carie Hallford, were accused of storing bodies between 2019 and 2023, deceiving families with fake ashes, and misusing pandemic aid funds. Investigations revealed the bodies stacked in a decrepit building, leading to emotional distress for the families involved.
The revelations disrupted the grieving process for many families, causing nightmares, guilt, and existential questions for some.
One victim, Colton Sperry, shared his heartbreaking experience during the sentencing, recounting how his grandmother’s body was left unattended for years, leading to profound emotional trauma for him.
Prosecutors also highlighted the Hallfords’ lavish spending of the misappropriated funds, including luxury items and vacations, underscoring the egregious nature of their crimes.
Derrick Johnson, another victim, expressed his anguish over the desecration of his mother’s remains and the Hallfords’ callous disregard for the deceased.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community awaits justice for the families affected by this egregious betrayal of trust.
Carie Hallford is set to face trial in the federal case and state case, both scheduled for later this year.
