PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday called for a county coroner to resign immediately after state inspectors found about 20 decomposing bodies behind a hidden door in a funeral home he owned.
Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter told inspectors from the state Department of Regulatory Agencies that some of the bodies had been awaiting cremation for about 15 years, according to a document from state regulators. Cotter also told them he may have given fake ashes to families who wanted to have their loved ones cremated.
Inspectors found a “strong odor of decomposition” during a Wednesday inspection of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo and discovered the bodies in a room hidden by a cardboard display. Cotter asked the inspectors not to enter the room, documents state.
Polis said Co