Horror in Chicago: More Than 50 Decomposing Bodies Found

Authorities have discovered more than 50 bodies in a state of decomposition at the South Chicago Chapel funeral home in Chicago, stored in unrefrigerated rooms under what they describe as horrific conditions. As a result of this finding, the Illinois state regulatory agency has suspended the funeral director's license of Johanna Morgan.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that state and local authorities had reported improper storage of human remains. Investigators and forensic pathologists were immediately dispatched to the site to assess the condition of the remains, which were found in various stages of decomposition.

"Staff are assessing the condition of the remains and gathering documentation needed to identify the deceased and verify death certificates. This process could take several days," the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement.

Residents of nearby homes told local reporters that an unbearable odor had been emanating from the facility for days. Although police initially announced that firefighters had declared a hazardous materials incident, the fire department denied this information on Friday. Journalists were unable to obtain a statement from the funeral home, either by phone or through their website.

Owners with a History of Misconduct

According to business registries, Johanna Morgan founded South Chicago Chapel in 2022. Her license was revoked because her continued operation was deemed a threat to public safety. The state's professional regulatory body determined that she allowed bodies to be kept in an unrefrigerated room, in very poor conditions with the presence of rodents, leading to decomposition and maggots.

In the company's official records, Clark X. Morgan is listed as president. His license was revoked back in 2024, and he was also fined $10,000 (approximately €9,200) for operating with an expired license and for unspecified "unprofessional conduct." Publicly available records reveal that Johanna and Clark X. Morgan are registered at the same address, and in Johanna's mother's obituary, Clark is listed as her husband.

Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said on Friday that the Morgans previously operated a crematorium in Chicago Heights, south of Chicago. That facility's license was revoked last year after authorities found improperly stored corpses and hundreds of urns containing ashes that were never returned to families. Many bodies at that crematorium were stacked on top of each other without any refrigeration.

"I am horrified once again. The discovery of decomposing remains awaiting burial in a funeral home on the city's South Side is terrifying and unacceptable. These are people-someone's mother, father, sister, brother, child, or friend-and they deserve more respect," Mendoza said.

Both spouses are named as defendants in multiple lawsuits related to the operation of the Chicago Heights crematorium. In stark contrast to the discovery, the South Chicago Chapel website states that the company is "dedicated to providing compassionate care and personalized services to families during life's most difficult moments."

A Recurring Problem in the U.S.

This case is not the only one of its kind in the United States. Last month, two men, including a former county coroner, were arrested in Colorado on charges of mishandling at least twenty or so decomposing bodies. During 2024, a funeral home owner in Georgia was taken into custody after 18 decomposing bodies were found at his facilities.

In 2023, nearly 200 bodies kept at room temperature were discovered in Colorado, and in the same year, a funeral home owner in Indiana pleaded guilty after 31 decomposing bodies were found at his facility. Police have launched an investigation into the latest case in Chicago, but no arrests have been reported so far.