One year after a shocking discovery at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado, families of the victims gathered for a candlelight vigil on the sidewalk outside the shuttered funeral home. The vigil began at 6:30 p.m. on August 21, offering a moment of remembrance and a call for accountability.
Background of the investigation
In August 2025, inspectors from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies arrived at the privately owned Davis Mortuary, then operated by former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter. Inspectors reported a “strong odor of decomposition” and noted a door concealed behind a cardboard display. When Cotter asked the inspectors not to enter, investigators proceeded and uncovered a hidden room containing 24 bodies.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later learned that some of the remains had been awaiting cremation for as long as 15 years. All 24 bodies, along with several containers of bones and probable human tissue, were transferred to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office for attempted identification.
Legal and administrative fallout
Following the discovery, Pueblo County moved quickly to remove Cotter from his elected position as coroner. He submitted a resignation letter a few days after the inspection. In October 2025, six of the victims were identified; that number rose to 19 in 2026 after the CBI released an updated report.
The investigation also uncovered evidence of systemic financial and administrative misconduct, including the fabrication of death certificates and the misappropriation of funds from pre‑need funeral contracts. The district attorney’s office confirmed that none of the charges related to a contract the mortuary held with the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Since the hidden bodies were revealed, the Cotter brothers have faced multiple lawsuits from families seeking answers and restitution. In June 2026, they were arrested and charged with several counts, initially facing a $1 million bond that was later reduced to $500,000. Both brothers were released after posting bond.
Community response
The vigil, organized by families of the victims, provided a space for collective mourning and a public reminder of the need for transparency in funeral services. Attendees lit candles, shared memories, and expressed a desire for continued investigation and justice.
KRDO13 will continue to cover developments in the case, including any further legal actions, identification efforts, and policy changes aimed at preventing similar abuses in the future.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
