Topic overview
In brief
- Authorities discovered 56 bodies improperly stored at South Chicago Chapel funeral home after residents reported a foul odor.
- The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is working to identify the remains and notify families, a process expected to take several days.
- The incident highlights ongoing issues with the mishandling of human remains in the U.S. and raises questions about regulatory oversight.
Summary
In Chicago, authorities discovered 56 bodies improperly stored and decomposing at the South Chicago Chapel funeral home. This alarming find occurred after residents reported a foul odor emanating from the facility, prompting an investigation by state and local officials. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office was notified and dispatched forensic pathologists to assess the situation. The investigation revealed that the bodies were kept in an unrefrigerated area under deplorable conditions, including rodent and maggot infestations. The funeral home's director, Johanna Morgan, had her license suspended due to these findings, which posed a danger to public safety.
The funeral home is operated by Johanna and her husband, Clark Morgan, who previously ran a crematory that was shut down for similar violations. Their past misconduct included improperly storing bodies and failing to return cremated remains to families. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation stated that the Morgans' continued practice was a threat to public safety, leading to the suspension of Johanna's license. Clark's license had already been revoked for practicing with an expired license and unprofessional conduct.