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12 decomposing bodies found inside a Georgia funeral home have been identified

By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Published  November 15, 2024 9:46pm EST
Georgia
Associated Press

The Brief

    • Twelve identified remains found at a Georgia funeral home after the arrest of owner Chris Lee Johnson for corpse neglect.
    • Georgia Bureau of Investigation working to identify six additional remains and verify the authenticity and origins of ashes given to families.
    • The investigation is described as complex, involving multiple resources and agencies, with an indefinite timeframe.
    • Johnson charged with 17 counts of abuse of a dead body; further charges may be forthcoming, and he remains in jail awaiting trial.
    • Johnson's funeral home passed inspection despite expired licenses and unresolved complaints about his services.

DOUGLAS, Ga. - Twelve remains found in a south Georgia funeral home after its owner was arrested and charged with neglecting the corpses have been identified, officials announced Friday.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is still trying to identify another six remains. The agency is also trying to make sure officials sent families the correct cremains and figure out whether the ashes are actually human remains after concerns that they might not be. A statement from the bureau said the timeframe of the investigation is unknown.

"It is complex and requires many resources, such as agents, scientists, and intelligence analysts, as well as coordination with other state agencies," the statement said of the investigation.

The statement also said the agency has provided families "with the necessary information for them to finalize arrangements for their loved ones."

RELATED: Funeral home owner arrested in Coffee County after 18 decomposing bodies found

Deputies found 18 bodies in various stages of decomposition last month while serving an eviction notice at Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services in Douglas, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) southeast of Atlanta. The owner, Chris Lee Johnson, 39, was initially charged with 17 counts of abuse of a dead body, according the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

According to arrest warrants, Johnson didn’t store the bodies properly, resulting in "serious disfigurement." A judge said Johnson would not be released from jail before his trial due to the severity of his charges and because additional charges might be filed.

Johnson’s attorney did not immediately respond to a phone call requesting comment.

Johnson’s funeral home passed an inspection by the secretary of state’s office even though his funeral director, embalming, and establishment licenses had expired, local news outlets reported. The office had also received complaints about Johnson’s services that have not been investigated.

Families who used Johnson’s services told local news outlets that they received ashes that may not have belonged to their relatives.

Johnson was first ordered to leave the building in May because of unpaid rent but successfully appealed after making $9,000 in overdue payments. The second eviction order came after he missed rent payments for July and August.

The Source: The Associated Press cites information provided by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

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