COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The owners of a funeral home in Colorado are now facing charges after nearly 200 bodies were found improperly stored on the premises. The couple, identified as Jon Hallford and Carrie Hallford, were arrested in Wagoner, Oklahoma on Wednesday morning on suspicion of several crimes, including abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering, and forgery.

The investigation into the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose began in early October when the Fremont County Sheriff's Office received reports of a foul odor. Acting upon those complaints, law enforcement obtained a state warrant to search the funeral home. During the search, authorities discovered a shocking number of improperly stored bodies, with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirming at least 189 individuals' remains had been found.

Due to the Hallfords' arrest in a different state, their first advisement in El Paso County District Court will be determined during the extradition process. Meanwhile, authorities are diligently working to positively identify the recovered bodies. Out of the 190 bodies found, 110 have been identified, leaving 80 still awaiting identification.

Governor Jared Polis released a statement in response to the arrests, expressing relief that criminal charges have been brought against the owners of the funeral home. He acknowledged that while it may not bring peace to the affected families, he hopes that the individuals responsible will be held fully accountable in a court of law.

The arrest papers in this case are currently sealed, as the District Attorney's Office deems the details inside to be disturbing, and they aim to protect the ongoing investigation. News outlets obtained a copy of the criminal complaint from Oklahoma-based News On 6, which has since been shared with local station KKTV 11 News.

The disturbing details mentioned in the criminal complaint underscore the seriousness of the allegations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the families impacted by this heart-wrenching incident will undoubtedly seek justice and closure for their loved ones.

As the investigation continues, authorities will work diligently to unravel the extent of the alleged crimes committed by the owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home. The full scope of the charges and potential penalties will be determined as the case progresses through the court system.