In a shocking turn of events, a Colorado couple has been accused of collecting funds from numerous families for eco-friendly funeral services, only to divert the money for their personal expenses while leaving the bodies in their care to decompose in a dilapidated facility. Jon and Carie Hallford, the owners of Return to Nature funeral home, touted their business as a "return to the traditional way of burial," offering biodegradable interment and cremation for prices reaching $1,895.

However, newly released court documents reveal a much darker reality. Instead of delivering on their promises of a dignified farewell, the couple allegedly spent the funds on extravagant purchases, including luxury vehicles such as a $92,566 GMC Yukon XL and a $28,336 Infiniti SUV, according to bombshell records.

Meanwhile, a staggering 189 bodies entrusted to the Hallfords were left "stored unrefrigerated, in rooms infested by bugs and... liquid decomposition," as stated in the affidavit. These bodies were reportedly stacked on top of each other or stored together in body bags wrapped in sheets and bound with duct tape. Shockingly, some families discovered that they were handed bags of mixed concrete instead of their loved ones' ashes.

When authorities executed a search warrant at the Penrose facility last fall, they were met with a gruesome scene. The storage areas were said to be so slippery with decomposition fluid that officials faced risks while attempting to remove the bodies, as noted in the affidavit.

Even when the couple did carry out their burial duties, investigations uncovered severe errors. At one point, it was discovered that Return to Nature had buried a female body in a grave at Pikes Peak National Cemetery intended for an honorably discharged male Army veteran. The remains intended for the military grave were found languishing at a coroner's office without the knowledge of the deceased's loved ones.

As the case unfolds, Jon Hallford's trial has been given the green light by a judge, following a similar ruling for Carie Hallford last month. The couple is set to face a range of charges, including abuse of a corpse, forgery, and money laundering related to their personal purchases. Their arraignment is scheduled for March 21. While Jon Hallford was released from jail after posting a $100,000 bond in January, Carie Hallford remains in custody on the same bond amount.

The latest revelations have left families and loved ones of the victims reeling. In court, one grieving sister, Danica Romero, expressed her shock and disbelief, remarking, "To prey on people in the weakest, most vulnerable time of their life is absolutely despicable. I don't know what type of person even does that. Someone who doesn't have a soul... My sister didn't deserve this. None of the families involved deserve this."

This unfortunate case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough research and due diligence when entrusting funeral arrangements to any service provider. As the legal proceedings continue, authorities hope to bring justice to the families affected by this egregious betrayal of trust.