COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Derrick Johnson fulfilled his late mother’s wish by burying her ashes beneath a beautiful tree in Maui. But soon after, he faced a devastating reality when the FBI contacted him regarding her remains. On February 4, 2024, while teaching an eighth-grade gym class, Johnson received a shocking phone call. FBI agents informed him that his mother’s body was among 189 found improperly stored in a Colorado funeral home operated by Jon and Carie Hallford, at their business, Return to Nature.
This funeral home had advertised green burials and cremations, yet they defrauded numerous families, handing out fake ashes while neglecting the bodies, some of which had been left to decompose for years. As Johnson navigated the heartbreaking fallout, he felt ill upon discovering the media coverage that unearthed the horrors of the Hallfords’ practices, describing scenes of neglect and trauma that left many families, including his, utterly shattered.
The investigation exposed their fraudulent activities, which included lying about their cremation process and misusing pandemic aid. Reports revealed that investigations were initiated after complaints regarding a foul smell led authorities on a journey to reveal a macabre scene filled with bodies in various states of decay.
Families across the nation, including Johnson, were left grappling with the aftermath. Many had ceremoniously spread the ashes believed to be their loved ones, unaware of the truth. She lied to me over the phone, email, and in person, Johnson reflected, mourning his mother deeply amidst the emotional turmoil of discovering the devastating truth of what had occurred.
As the Hallfords face sentencing, Johnson is determined to seek justice. He vows to advocate for the maximum sentence, reflecting on the emotional toll this scandal has taken on not only him but the many families affected. Johnson’s narrative emphasizes the importance of transparency, compassion, and accountability in the funeral industry, serving as a reminder of the profound impact of trust and betrayal in times of grief.
This funeral home had advertised green burials and cremations, yet they defrauded numerous families, handing out fake ashes while neglecting the bodies, some of which had been left to decompose for years. As Johnson navigated the heartbreaking fallout, he felt ill upon discovering the media coverage that unearthed the horrors of the Hallfords’ practices, describing scenes of neglect and trauma that left many families, including his, utterly shattered.
The investigation exposed their fraudulent activities, which included lying about their cremation process and misusing pandemic aid. Reports revealed that investigations were initiated after complaints regarding a foul smell led authorities on a journey to reveal a macabre scene filled with bodies in various states of decay.
Families across the nation, including Johnson, were left grappling with the aftermath. Many had ceremoniously spread the ashes believed to be their loved ones, unaware of the truth. She lied to me over the phone, email, and in person, Johnson reflected, mourning his mother deeply amidst the emotional turmoil of discovering the devastating truth of what had occurred.
As the Hallfords face sentencing, Johnson is determined to seek justice. He vows to advocate for the maximum sentence, reflecting on the emotional toll this scandal has taken on not only him but the many families affected. Johnson’s narrative emphasizes the importance of transparency, compassion, and accountability in the funeral industry, serving as a reminder of the profound impact of trust and betrayal in times of grief.
