Remains of 56 people found improperly stored at Chicago funeral home

The remains of 56 people were found improperly stored and in various stages of decomposition at a Chicago funeral home, months after residents complained about a foul smell coming from the premises. Illinois authorities have suspended the licence of one of the funeral home's directors, alleging that multiple bodies were kept in an unrefrigerated area under “deplorable conditions”, news agency AP reported.

Bodies found in various stages of decomposition

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said it was alerted by state and local officials about the conditions at South Chicago Chapel. Investigators and forensic pathologists were sent to the funeral home on Thursday to examine the remains. Officials said they were also looking for documents to establish the identities of the deceased and locate their death certificates. The process could take several days, after which families would be informed. Police said detectives are investigating the case. No arrests have been announced so far.

Residents had complained of foul smell

The discovery came after residents in the neighbourhood reportedly noticed a strong stench coming from the funeral home for months and complained to the city. Latasha Johnson, 55, said her mother’s funeral had been held at South Chicago Chapel on Thursday, shortly before authorities arrived. She later learned about the discovery and was told that her mother’s remains would need to undergo an autopsy and that she may have to identify them. A community advocate, Blaise Von Bruchhaeuser, said it was disturbing that complaints about the smell had continued for months before the decomposing remains were discovered.

Funeral director’s licence suspended

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation alleged that Morgan allowed multiple deceased people to be kept in an unrefrigerated area, citing “deplorable conditions” including rodent and maggot infestation that led to decomposition. Clark Morgan, identified by state officials as Johanna Morgan’s husband, is listed as the funeral home's president. His funeral director’s licence was revoked in 2024 over practising with an expired licence and unspecified “unprofessional conduct”.

Couple previously ran crematory

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said Johanna and Clark Morgan had previously operated a crematory in Chicago Heights. Its licence was revoked last year after authorities found improperly stored bodies and hundreds of cremated remains that had not been returned to families. Both Johanna and Clark Morgan are also listed as defendants in Cook County court records in lawsuits linked to the crematory. The Chicago case comes amid a series of recent incidents involving mishandled human remains in the US. Last month, two men were arrested in Colorado over allegedly mishandling at least two dozen decomposing bodies. Earlier cases involved 18 bodies found at a Georgia funeral home in 2024, nearly 200 bodies discovered in Colorado in 2023 and 31 bodies found at an Indiana funeral home.