Return to Nature Funeral Home victims’ families testify in honor of loved ones [Video]

FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. — Family members who entrusted the owners of a southern Colorado funeral home to care for their loved ones’ remains spoke at length Thursday about the impacts the gruesome discovery of decomposing bodies by authorities last year has had on their lives.

“Whatever assets these folks have are gone,” said one of the family members who was first to speak during a court hearing Thursday in which several family members of the victims provided impact statements. “I don’t need the money. Others might. It’s not about a dollar value. It’s about… what’s right, and me having some level of control on something that makes a difference.”

Jon and Carie Hallford, the owners of the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, are accused of mishandling the remains of 191 bodies since at least early October of last year, after reports of a horrific odor coming from the building along Highway 115 in Fremont County were first made public. The Hallfords were …