HOUSTON, TX — State authorities have ordered a southwest Houston funeral home to cease all operations after at least 10 bodies were discovered in deplorable conditions, including lack of refrigeration and air conditioning.
The Texas Funeral Service Commission issued a cease-and-desist order Monday to Richardson Mortuary, citing multiple violations of health, safety and building codes. The remains were initially discovered Friday, exposed and unrefrigerated, during a visit by concerned relatives.
The order followed an incident in which Davon and Tamara McGruder visited the mortuary after growing suspicious about where a relative’s body was being stored. A funeral home worker allegedly stabbed Davon McGruder after he began filming inside the building, capturing images of uncovered bodies lying on tables and others wrapped in plastic or caskets.
One witness described the scene as “horrible,” saying the bodies were “on stretchers,” “in boxes,” “uncovered,” and “naked,” with gnats present and a strong odor in the room.
Authorities said McGruder remains hospitalized with a more serious injury than initially reported.
The commission’s letter stated the mortuary failed to meet several legal requirements and must meet five conditions before reopening, including passing an inspection, providing employment and service records for the past year, and identifying all deceased individuals, next of kin, and transport services used between April 11-14. All of these requirements must be met within 14 days.
The funeral home’s conduct also raised concerns of possible fraudulent and deceptive practices. Houston police are investigating potential charges related to the stabbing as well as tampering with a corpse. The Harris County district attorney initially declined to press charges related to the stabbing.
Attempts by local media to reach funeral home owner Mike Richardson were unsuccessful. Witnesses said he is currently seeking legal counsel.
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