DOUGLAS, Georgia — Authorities confirmed on Friday that 12 bodies uncovered in a funeral home in south Georgia have been identified following the arrest of the establishment’s owner, who faces charges related to the improper handling of remains.
As the Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues its inquiries, six additional remains are yet to be identified. The agency is also examining whether the ashes sent to families are indeed human remains, amidst concerns that some could belong to other individuals. The timeline for the investigation remains uncertain, as noted in a bureau statement.
In their statement, officials emphasized that the investigation requires extensive resources, involving agents, forensic experts, and analysts, alongside collaboration with other governmental agencies. They also indicated that families affected by the situation have been provided with essential information to help them make arrangements for their deceased loved ones.
Last month, law enforcement discovered 18 bodies in various states of decay while executing an eviction notice at Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services, located approximately 200 miles southeast of Atlanta. The owner, Chris Lee Johnson, aged 39, has been charged initially with 17 counts of abusing a dead body, as stated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The arrest warrants detail that Johnson failed to preserve the bodies correctly, leading to evident disfigurement. A judge has ruled that Johnson will remain in custody ahead of his trial, given the serious nature of the allegations against him, which may lead to further charges.
As of now, Johnson’s legal representative has not responded to requests for comments related to the case. Notably, Johnson’s funeral home had recently passed an inspection by the secretary of state’s office, despite his licenses for funeral directing, embalming, and establishment having lapsed. Reports indicate that the office had received various complaints about Johnson’s services, which have yet to be investigated.
Individuals who utilized Johnson’s funeral services have expressed their distress over receiving ashes that they fear may not correspond to their loved ones. Johnson had initially been ordered to vacate the premises in May for failing to pay rent; however, he appealed the decision after settling $9,000 in overdue payments. Having missed rent for July and August, he subsequently faced a second eviction notice.