Colorado Coroner to Resign After Inspectors Find 20 Decomposing Bodies Hidden Behind Funeral Home Door

After officials discovered the decomposing bodies of about 20 people inside a Colorado funeral home, the county coroner has decided to resign.

Earlier this month, investigators found the remains at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colo. during the funeral home’s first inspection. According to reports, co-owner Brian Cotter tried to block the inspection but was unsuccessful.

Following the inspection on Aug. 20, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revoked Cotter’s business license. Cotter, who owns the mortuary with his brother, later said he was hospitalized for a heart issue, according to a statement released by his attorney.

Cotter has since been discharged and plans to officially resign as Pueblo County Coroner on Tuesday, Sept. 2. He will provide a signed written statement once he is able, the attorney added.

In that same statement, Cotter’s attorney said the owner “acted swiftly to prioritize the concerns of the public as it relates to his position as Coroner,” CBS News reported.

News of Cotter’s resignation comes after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis urged him to step down. In a statement on Friday, Aug. 22, Polis said: “I’m sickened for the families of the loved ones who are impacted by this unacceptable misconduct. It is clear public trust has been lost and Mr. Cotter must resign as the Pueblo County Coroner immediately.”

Polis added that Cotter should be investigated and possibly prosecuted, saying: “No one should ever have to wonder if their loved one is being taken care of with dignity and respect after they’ve passed, and Mr. Cotter must be held to account for his actions.”

The CBI first confirmed the discovery of the remains at Davis Mortuary on Thursday, Aug. 21. “During the inspection, authorities reported finding several bodies in various stages of decomposition,” investigators said.

Cotter reportedly told inspectors that some of the bodies had been awaiting cremation for nearly 15 years. He also admitted he may have given fake ashes to families who believed they were receiving their loved ones’ remains.

Officials later clarified in a press conference shared by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) on Facebook that inspectors found “around 20 or so” bodies. According to ABC News, the bodies were discovered behind a hidden door that Cotter tried to keep inspectors from opening by covering it with a cardboard display.

A CBI spokesperson said the agency is now working to identify the victims and notify their families.

At this time, no charges have been filed, and the investigation is still ongoing.