The remains of 56 people were found improperly stored and decomposing at a Chicago funeral home, authorities said. The discovery was made after neighborhood residents complained about a strong odor emanating from the funeral home.

Investigation Underway

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified by state and local officials that bodies were being stored improperly at South Chicago Chapel. Investigators and forensic pathologists were dispatched to the scene, where they found the remains in various states of decomposition.

Police said their preliminary statement on the case incorrectly stated that fire department officials declared the scene a hazardous materials incident. No arrests have been announced, but city police said detectives are investigating.

State business records show that funeral director Johanna Morgan incorporated South Chicago Chapel Inc. in 2022. Her funeral director’s license was temporarily suspended due to the discovery of the decomposing bodies.

The state Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said the license suspension was due to ‘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.’

Previous Incidents

This is not the first incident involving the funeral home’s owners. State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said that Johanna and Clark Morgan previously ran a crematory in Chicago Heights, which had its license revoked last year after authorities discovered improperly stored bodies and hundreds of cremated remains that had never been returned to their families.

Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.