Chilling messages emerge as funeral home owners arrested in shocking discovery

The shocking arrest of funeral home owners, Carie and Jon Hallford, has unraveled a nightmarish tale as disturbing text messages between the couple since 2019 have surfaced. Following the arrest, law enforcement officials uncovered 189 decomposing bodies at the Return to Nature funeral home, raising concerns about the handling of remains and sending fake ashes to grieving families.

Gruesome Findings:

Detectives made the gruesome discovery in October 2023 after receiving reports of a foul smell emanating from the Return to Nature funeral home. The remains, spanning adults, infants, and foetuses, were found in varying states of decomposition, with some dating back to 2019. The funeral home, specializing in green burials without embalming chemicals, failed to carry out the intended service.

Text Messages Reveal Disturbing Conversations:

Messages exchanged between Carie and Jon Hallford have shed light on the grim reality within the funeral home. Investigator Kevin Clark from the district attorney’s office disclosed that the couple discussed options for handling the mounting problem, including building a new facility, using lye to break down bodies, or resorting to cremation. Lye, a substance known for decomposing bodies, was mentioned in one of Jon’s messages.

Heartless Discussions and Disregard for the Deceased:

The revealed text messages depict a callous attitude toward the bodies. In one message, Jon allegedly expressed the need for a shower after getting “people juice” on him during body transfers. The shocking revelations include heartless discussions about dinner preferences immediately after dealing with bodies.

Legal Consequences:

Carie and Jon Hallford face serious charges, including approximately 190 counts of abuse of a corpse, five counts of theft, four counts of money laundering, and over 50 counts of forgery. Jon’s bond is set at $100,000, with Carie’s bond hearing scheduled for January 12.

As the case unfolds, the disturbing text messages serve as evidence of the callous disregard for the deceased and the severe legal consequences awaiting the funeral home owners.