spoiler
PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KOAA) — A funeral home operated by the Pueblo County coroner is suspended, according to documents from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The Colorado Bureau of Investigation took control of the investigation on Thursday.
The documents state that on or around Aug. 20, inspectors for the Office of Funeral and Mortuary Science Services arrived at Davis Mortuary for a mandated inspection. The documents add that Brian Cotter is the appointed designee for Davis Mortuary at 128 Broadway Ave. in Pueblo.
The "our staff" bio for Cotter on the funeral home's website appeared to have been removed Thursday morning.
While at the business, investigators noticed an odor. "During their inspection, inspectors noticed that a door was hidden by a cardboard display," part of the inspection report from DORA reads. "Upon removing the cardboard display, Mr. Cotter asked the inspectors not to enter the room behind the previously hidden door." The report adds that several bodies were found in various stages of decomposition in a room. During a press conference Thursday, the CBI said "20 or so bodies" were found behind a hidden door at Davis Mortuary. However, they have not released an official number.
"Mr. Cotter stated that the bodies were awaiting cremation and admitted that some bodies had been in the room for approximately fifteen years," part of the DORA report reads. "Mr. Cotter admitted to inspectors that he may have issued next-of-kin fake cremains."
The report states that Davis Mortuary engaged in willfully dishonest conduct and/or committed negligence in the practice of embalming, funeral directing, or providing for final disposition that defrauds or causes injury or is likely to defraud or cause injury. It adds that they failed to embalm, refrigerate, cremate, bury, or entomb human remains within 24 hours after taking custody of the remains.
"The Division contacted the Pueblo Police Department and is fully cooperating with law enforcement," a DORA spokesperson wrote to News5. "Because the investigation is ongoing, no further information is available at this time. We will provide updates as more information may be released. The Division licenses funeral homes and crematories in the State of Colorado. Davis Mortuary is currently registered as a funeral home and Davis Crematory previously held a crematory registration."
At this time, the CBI says the Cotters have not been charged.
For anyone with information or concerns, call (719)257-3359, or email cbitips@state.co.us. To gather information about victims, CBI has also created an online questionnaire to collect information. You can fill out that form here.
Janice Hubbard lost both daughters in 2020 and 2021 and had them cremated at Davis Mortuary, but now questions whether the ashes she received are actually her daughters' remains. After learning about bodies found decomposing behind a hidden door at the mortuary, she says she "feels sick to her stomach" and wants answers.
The Division received expanded inspection authority, along with the requirement to conduct routine, periodic inspections as part of House Bill 24-1335. This is the first annual inspection of this location since the bill’s signing, according to DORA.
Colorado changed funeral home and crematory regulations in 2024 following the shocking discovery of more than 180 decomposing bodies at Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose.
The law now says funeral establishments and crematories are required to be inspected annually.
Colorado's funeral home industry faces mounting scrutiny following multiple scandals including Return to Nature's 200 decomposing bodies, Davis Mortuary's hidden remains, and other incidents across the state.
Prior to the "our staff" bio not appearing on the website, Davis Mortuary had posted that Brian and Chris Cotter were co-owners. The bio stated that Cotter is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association; however, the agency says otherwise.
We reached out to the National Funeral Directors Association for comment on this incident. You can see what they had to say in the statement below.
"This is truly an awful story. To clarify, neither Davis Mortuary nor Mr. Cotter our members of our association. The allegations are serious and disturbing. This kind of behavior is in diametric opposition to everything the funeral service profession stands for. Funeral directors strive to treat every decedent with respect and dignity, not just because it is a law, but because it is the right thing to do. When actions like this are uncovered, we support a full investigation and if an individual or business is found guilty, they should be punished to the ballistic symptoms of the law. Thank you for the opportunity to offer comment." - Jessica Koth, National Funeral Directors Association
Pueblo County Commissioners also released a statement regarding the incident:
"The Pueblo County Commissioners are saddened to hear about the investigation involving the County Coroner and his private business, Davis Mortuary. At this time, we are continuing to gather information. The public will be notified as soon as additional details become available. Our thoughts are with those who may be affected during this difficult time. Pueblo County is committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement throughout this investigation, as well as ensuring our community continues to be served by a functioning coroner office." - Pueblo County Commissioners
