PUEBLO, Colo — Decomposing bodies were removed from Davis Mortuary in Pueblo over the weekend, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Last week, state inspectors found more than 20 decomposing bodies behind a hidden door inside the mortuary, which is owned by Pueblo County Coroner and his brother.
The CBI says they don't have an exact number on how many bodies were found because of the condition some of them were in, as well as unverified record keeping at the mortuary. Despite this, the CBI says there were more than 20 bodies found inside.
According to the CBI, because of the condition of the remains, it will take months to identify them. Investigators say they will use the following to identify the victims:
- dental x-rays
- fingerprints
- DNA samples
The CBI says it is not possible to obtain DNA results from ashes or cremains.
At this time, no arrests have been made, however, the CBI says law enforcement knows where Cotter and his brother are. They believe neither of them are flight risks.
The Colorado Coroner's Association has removed Cotter from its board and is calling for his resignation.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis and local officials have also asked Cotter to step down as Pueblo County Coroner.
Montgomery and Steward say they have worked with Davis Mortuary for the past eight years. They sent News5 the following:
"We have worked with the Davis Mortuary since July 2017 and have cremated numerous decedents for them. With our many safeguards we have in place, as described below, we are confident the person received from Davis or any other mortuary is the person they profess it to be.
When we receive a loved one in our care, either for our mortuary, or from another mortuary, we always check the identification band on the person, as well as compare it to the Final Disposition Permit that is issued through the State of Colorado. We also verify the signed cremation authorization which is signed by the legal next of kin. At that point, a stainless steel identification tag is assigned, photo copied onto the Final Disposition Permit and then the tag is placed with the decedent through the process.
Since this story broke, we have been inundated with hundreds of calls. All the calls we have received have been able to be verified in our database, as well as our cremation log and assure the families that the cremation was done with the utmost care. The only time frame in which we did not service Davis Mortuary, was because our crematorium was out of service for a short time for maintenance."
As of 12:50 p.m. Monday, the CBI says they have received more than 840 calls to there victim assistance line. To contact the line, call (719)257-3359.
If you have any information regarding the investigation, you are asked to send an email to cbitips@state.co.us.
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Front Range Maker's Market this weekend in Monument
More than 100 local vendors will be at the Front Range Maker's Market at Lewis-Palmer High School Saturday and Sunday.
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