The case of Miles Harford, a former funeral home director from Colorado, continues to shock the community as more charges emerge.
Harford, once known for running a low-cost funeral service, now faces serious allegations involving the mishandling of human remains and financial exploitation of his clients.
Here’s a breakdown of the grim situation.
The Shocking Discovery of Human Remains
Authorities were first alerted to Harford’s alleged misconduct when the landlord of his Denver rental property stumbled upon a horrifying scene.
During a court-ordered eviction in February, police discovered the decomposed body of Christine Rosales, 63, inside a hearse parked outside the property.
Even more disturbing, investigators found cremated remains belonging to at least 30 individuals hidden in a crawl space.
Some of these remains date back as far as 2012.
Mounting Legal Troubles
Initially charged with abuse of a corpse, forgery, and theft related to Rosales’ cremation, Harford’s legal troubles deepened after his recent court appearance.
Prosecutors added seven new charges, including theft from at-risk victims and additional counts of corpse abuse.
Each charge corresponds to a different victim, underscoring the widespread impact of his alleged actions.
A Funeral Business in Financial Turmoil
Harford operated Apollo Funeral & Cremation Services in Littleton, catering to low-income families and individuals with no next of kin.
However, financial struggles plagued his business.
Authorities allege that he failed to perform cremations and even provided families with ashes that did not belong to their loved ones.
His actions reportedly left many families with unresolved grief and questions about their loved ones’ final arrangements.
The Victims Speak Out
Several victims have come forward, sharing heartbreaking stories of betrayal.
Don Campbell and Tom Simpleman, an elderly couple, paid nearly $3,000 in pre-arranged cremation services to Harford, only to find out later that their money was gone.
Similarly, Rich Schneider, another client, prepaid for his own cremation and later entrusted Harford to handle arrangements for a friend’s mother.
Schneider discovered that no funds were ever deposited into the promised trust account.
“I’d like to see him go to jail and get our money back,” said Simpleman, who now faces the burden of re-planning cremation arrangements.
A Grim Warning from Neighbors
Adding to the bizarre narrative, Harford’s former neighbor revealed chilling details about the hearse where Rosales’ body was kept for two years.
The neighbor recalled Harford warning about a “death” smell emanating from the vehicle, which he claimed was used for transporting bodies.
A Proper Farewell for Christine Rosales
Rosales’ family has since managed to give her a proper memorial and cremation.
Her twin sister, Cathy Vorndran, shared that Rosales was a beloved school cook who had even given Harford a job as a dishwasher during his youth.
“She gave him free lunch,” Vorndran recounted, expressing disbelief over the betrayal.
Next Steps in the Legal Battle
Harford, who was released on recognizance following his February arrest, is scheduled to return to court on January 17.
If he violates any conditions of his release, he faces a $50,000 bond.
For now, the victims and their families hope for justice and closure as the legal process unfolds.
What Lies Ahead?
The case raises troubling questions about oversight in the funeral industry and the vulnerability of grieving families.
As investigations continue, the community awaits answers and accountability for the harm caused by Harford’s actions.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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