Authorities in Chicago are investigating after more than four dozen bodies in varying stages of decomposition were reportedly discovered inside a South Side funeral home, prompting an emergency inspection and the suspension of the funeral director’s professional license.
The investigation centers on South Chicago Chapel, where officials responded Thursday following reports that raised serious concerns about conditions inside the facility.
Inspection Triggered by Tip to Authorities
According to local reports, state officials requested a police escort while carrying out an inspection of the funeral home after receiving information about potential violations.
Law enforcement officers secured the area during the investigation, while personnel from the Chicago Department of Buildings were also seen at the property as authorities examined the premises.
State Alleges Bodies Were Stored in Unsanitary Conditions
Records from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation indicate that funeral director Johanna Morgan’s license has been suspended.
The agency alleged that multiple deceased individuals were being kept in unrefrigerated areas under what it described as deplorable conditions.
Officials cited rodent activity, advanced decomposition, and maggot infestations among the findings that led regulators to conclude the funeral home’s continued operation posed a risk to public safety.
Neighbors Reported Persistent Odor for Weeks
Residents living near the funeral home said they had noticed an overwhelming foul odor in the neighborhood for nearly two months before authorities intervened.
Several neighbors described the smell as resembling that of a dead animal and said it was, at times, so strong that spending time outdoors became difficult.
Although the odor was concerning, residents said they did not initially suspect it was connected to the funeral home, which had opened only a few years earlier.
One nearby resident recalled seeing workers spread fresh white gravel outside the property in recent weeks but said nothing appeared to indicate the conditions later uncovered by investigators.
Funeral Director Has Faced Previous Regulatory Action
The latest allegations follow earlier disciplinary actions involving Morgan.
Public records show she had previously been fined for failing to complete death certificates within required timeframes and had her license suspended in 2017 over unpaid state income taxes. Additional regulatory penalties were issued in subsequent years for delays involving death records.
Investigation Follows Earlier Crematory Controversy
The case also comes roughly a year after another facility associated with Clark and Johanna Morgan, Heights Crematory, ceased operations following investigations into the improper storage of human remains.
At the time, reports alleged bodies had been found stacked inside a trailer and elsewhere on the property, leading the owners to agree to close the crematory before a state administrative hearing.
Authorities Continue Investigation
Officials have not yet announced whether criminal charges will be filed as the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities are expected to continue examining the conditions at the funeral home while determining whether additional regulatory or legal action is warranted.
