Colorado Funeral Home Owners Plead Guilty After Nearly 200 Bodies Discovered in Decomposed State

As the investigation unfolded, many were left asking the same questions: How could such a massive betrayal remain hidden for so long? Who was responsible for allowing the families’ trust to be shattered in this way?

The couple at the center of the scandal, Jon and Carie Hallford, operated “green burial” businesses in Colorado Springs and Penrose. They have now admitted guilt to 191 felony counts of corpse abuse. In El Paso County Court, the Hallfords agreed to a plea deal that could result in 15 to 20 years behind bars, with sentencing scheduled for April.

Return to Nature Funeral Home had gained its reputation by offering eco-conscious burials, using biodegradable caskets, shrouds, and baskets that promised to honor both the deceased and the environment.