PUEBLO, Colo. (KOAA) — The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office said it could be months before an arrest is made in the Davis Mortuary case in Pueblo.
Investigators discovered 24 bodies inside a hidden room in Davis Mortuary last month. The mortuary is co-owned by Brian Cotter, who resigned as Pueblo County Coroner about a week after the discovery was made, and his brother, Chris.
During a news conference Wednesday morning CBI and the District Attorney, Kala Beauvais said they need to identify all 24 bodies before making arrests in the case. So far, only six bodies have been identified.
CBI said all of the six bodies identified were people who died between 2010 and 2012, they believe all of the 24 bodies died during that time period.
"It's just heartbreaking," Nicole Rider said about the number of bodies that have been identified, she learned three weeks ago her father, Mel Emerson was among the bodies found inside the funeral home, "my, my heart truly goes out to not just my family, but every family that has been affected by this or potentially affected by this."
Emerson died in 2011 from cancer.
"We're doing okay, we're doing the best we can right now," Rider said.
Clint Thomason, the Assistant Director of Investigations with the CBI said the Fremont County Coroner has exhausted all traditional options like finger printing and dental records in identifying the remains; now they will need to use DNA to identify the bodies.
Thomason also asked families who may be impacted to not contact CBI as they begin the DNA identification process.
"Please do not show up at one of our CBI forensic laboratories or CBI in general, or any of the other law enforcement agencies, you know, volunteering your DNA, that's not necessary, we will reach out to everybody that needs to do that," Thomason said.
Beauvais reiterated what she said in a previous news conference shortly after news of the discovery broke last month, she said once an arrest is made, the legal time clock begins.
"It's vital for our community to understand the key constraints that govern our timelines, including constitutional rights, as well as discovery deadlines," Beauvais said.
Beauvais and Thomason said they want to file all the charges at once.
"We've made a deliberate decision to not file piecemeal file charges, we want to file all the charges that we can at one time," Thomason said, "we believe that's going to be the best way to handle this case, and to deliver the justice that needs to be done."
CBI said they still do not believe the owners of Davis Mortuary, Brian Cotter, the former Pueblo County Coroner and his brother, Chris are flight risks.
"Their whole lives are here, they've been business owners here," Thomason said, when asked whether or not the Cotter brothers have passports Thomason said he did not know.
CBI said it's spoken with Cotters' attorney on a weekly basis. CBI has still not questioned the brothers as they've retained legal counsel.
Rider still has questions after Wednesday's news conference.
"I think, like human nature. You want to know why?," Rider said, "that's been the hardest for me. Like nothing makes sense. So why. And you just have to try and not worry about the why and hoping that it'll come out eventually at some point."
Rider said she understands wanting to get the case right but she said victims are actively suffering not having those answers.
"It's hard to accept that we have to wait even longer," Rider said.
Watch The CBI's Full Press Conference Below
For previous coverage in the investigation, click here.
___
Two people shot by a Colorado Springs police officer after suspect reportedly pointed rifle at officers
The suspect with the rifle reportedly pointed the gun at an officer who fired multiple shots, injuring a male and female. The people shot were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the third person was taken into custody, an adult male, and is considered a suspect.
____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.
