PUEBLO, Colo. (KOAA) — Friday marks one year since the community of Pueblo was shocked after investigators discovered 24 bodies hidden inside Davis Mortuary.
The mortuary was owned and operated by the Pueblo County coroner, Brian Cotter, and his brother Chris Cotter. Brian Cotter would resign in August of 2025.
When the discovery was made in August of 2025, News5 came to ask questions about how they would learn if their families were impacted by the gruesome discovery.
Watch Alasyn Zimmerman's report with families impacted in the video player below
19 of the 24 bodies found in the building were identified before a formal case, and charges could be brought against the Cotter brothers in June of 2026.
One year after the 24 bodies were discovered, some of which had been in the mortuary for decades, we spoke with families about how they are holding up.
Nicole Rider’s family was among the first to learn their loved one's remains had been inside the funeral home. Her dad— Mel Emerson- died from kidney cancer in 2011.
“To say that trust has been betrayed, is a major understatement,” says Nicole Rider.
Following the Cotters' brother's arrest, they were able to bond out of jail. The brothers are scheduled to be in court next month, and News5 will continue to follow this case as it makes its way through the court system.
Families of those impacted are gathering Friday night to mark the year since the discovery outside Davis Mortuary. News5 has been invited to attend and will have a full report on News5 at 10.
For more Davis Mortuary Investigation coverage.
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