Pueblo, Co — A federal trial date has been scheduled for Carie Hallford, co-owner of the Return to Nature funeral home in Penrose, Colorado, following allegations that she and her husband, Jon Hallford, improperly stored the bodies of 190 deceased individuals at their facility. Court records reveal that Carie Hallford’s trial will begin on April 14, while Jon Hallford’s sentencing is set for June 27.
The Hallfords, who were at the center of a disturbing investigation into the mismanagement of bodies at their funeral home, were initially facing charges related to the improper storage of human remains. In addition to the body storage violations, both were accused of committing wire fraud. In a significant development, Jon Hallford agreed to a revised plea agreement, which included pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud in exchange for a sentence ranging from 78 months to 15 years. However, Carie Hallford rejected the changes to the plea deal, opting for a trial instead of a guilty plea.
The case first garnered public attention in 2024, when authorities discovered the remains of nearly 200 bodies improperly stored at the Penrose facility. The funeral home, which had been trusted by families for final services, became the subject of federal investigations into allegations of fraud and mishandling of deceased individuals. As the details of the case unfolded, it was revealed that the Hallfords had charged families for services that were either never rendered or were conducted in violation of industry standards.
In October 2024, both Carie and Jon Hallford initially agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud charges. At that time, it appeared they would avoid a trial, and the focus shifted to sentencing. However, after changes were made to Jon Hallford’s plea agreement, he accepted the revised terms, while Carie Hallford opted to contest the charges in court.
The trial of Carie Hallford will mark a significant moment in the case, as it brings attention to broader issues within the funeral industry, particularly in the realm of ethical practices and the protection of consumers. Families who trusted the Hallfords with the remains of their loved ones now find themselves grappling with the emotional and financial fallout from the scandal.
Jon Hallford’s sentencing in June will conclude his legal proceedings, but Carie Hallford’s case remains open, with a trial expected to delve deeper into the allegations against her and the funeral home’s operations.
The outcome of both the trial and sentencing will likely have lasting implications for funeral home regulations and oversight, as well as for the reputation of the funeral industry as a whole. As the proceedings unfold, more details about the Hallfords’ actions and the conditions at Return to Nature funeral home are expected to come to light.
