Chicago Horror: Over 50 Decomposing Bodies Found Stored At Funeral Home, Licence Suspended
News world Chicago Horror: Over 50 Decomposing Bodies Found Stored At Funeral Home, Licence Suspended Chicago Horror: Over 50 Decomposing Bodies Found Stored At Funeral
News world Chicago Horror: Over 50 Decomposing Bodies Found Stored At Funeral Home, Licence Suspended Chicago Horror: Over 50 Decomposing Bodies Found Stored At Funeral Home, Licence Suspended Published By, Last Updated: August 08, 2026, 09:12 IST The latest incident came months after residents reported a "stench" coming from the funeral home. Rapid Read Representative image credit: Reuters More than 50 bodies were discovered improperly stored and in various stages of decomposition at a Chicago funeral home, leading to a police investigation and action by Illinois state authorities. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said it was informed by state and local officials about the remains and sent investigators and forensic pathologists to the funeral home on Thursday. “Staff is assessing the condition of the remains, searching for documentation regarding identification of the decedents as well as death certificates. This process could take several days to ensure proper disposition," the office said in a statement. The office added that families would be notified once the bodies had been identified. Police clarified on Friday that an earlier statement about the case was incorrect and that fire department officials had not declared the site a hazardous materials incident. No arrests have been announced so far, while city police detectives continue to investigate the case. Messages seeking a response were left for the funeral home by phone and through its website on Friday.
The discovery has also raised concerns because South Chicago Chapel is linked to a couple who previously operated a crematory that was shut down after authorities found improperly stored bodies and hundreds of cremated remains that had not been returned to families. The latest incident came months after residents reported a “stench" coming from the funeral home. Family Members Seek Answers A small group of residents and people seeking information about relatives gathered outside the funeral home on Friday. Latasha Johnson, 55, said her mother’s funeral had taken place at the facility on Thursday, before authorities arrived. She said she later learnt about the discovery. According to Johnson, officials told her that her mother’s body would have to undergo an autopsy and that she would need to identify the remains within a day or two. “I’m discombobulated," she told the Associated Press. “My heart is broken." Blaise Von Bruchhaeuser, who described herself as a community advocate for the neighbourhood, said it was upsetting that complaints about a terrible odour had been made for months before the decomposing bodies were discovered. Funeral Director’s Licence Suspended State business records show that funeral director Johanna Morgan incorporated South Chicago Chapel Inc. in 2022. Her funeral director’s licence was temporarily suspended on Wednesday. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said the suspension followed “a finding that Respondent’s continued practice is a danger to the public safety, interest and welfare due to Respondent allowing multiple decedents to be kept in an unrefrigerated area with deplorable conditions including rodent infestation, causing decomposition and maggot infestation of the bodies." State business records identify Clark Morgan, whom officials said is Johanna Morgan’s husband, as the funeral home’s president.
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