Illinois, Indiana families announce new lawsuits against Crown Cremation, Chicago Heights Crematory for mishandling remains
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Attorneys announced more civil lawsuits Thursday against crematoriums in Chicago Heights and Crown Point, Indiana.

The facilities are accused of negligence and gross mishandling of human remains.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The initial lawsuit was filed in April. Subsequently, others came forward, raising concerns that their loved ones’ remains might have been mishandled as well.

The new lawsuits from Illinois and Indiana families were announced during a press conference Thursday morning in Chicago

A widow from Munster, Indiana sued the two cremation businesses last month.

She says they mishandled her late husband’s remains.

Darla Smith’s husband, Darryl, died last August.

The lawsuit alleges that Crown Cremation in Indiana transferred her husband’s remains to Heights Crematory in Illinois, where they were not properly refrigerated and remained uncremated for almost three weeks.

“I can’t say for certain if the remains I received are truly my husband’s,” Darla Smith stated. “That was also the first question my children asked when I told them. Is it their father?”

Heights Crematory was recently shut down by the state, after 100 bodies were found.

They were improperly stored.

Neither crematorium has commented on the lawsuit.

“In the weeks since Darla Smith’s lawsuit was filed, we’ve experienced a tidal wave of calls and emails from distressed families,” attorney Gabriel Hawkins said. “It appears that reports in the media thus far are not isolated incidents for periods of a few weeks, but again appear part of a much broader and disturbing pattern.”

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Surgeon ex-husband extradited to Ohio in slaying of dentist and wife

Surgeon Charged in Double Homicide Shows No Emotion During Booking – Watch the Unsettling Footage

In newly surfaced video footage, Fox News Digital offers a glimpse into…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announces initiative with Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Amazon and Ring

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Partners with Domestic Violence Coalition, Amazon, and Ring to Launch Groundbreaking Safety Initiative

In a significant move to bolster safety for domestic violence survivors, the…
Palmdale Street shooting on Jacksonville's Northwest side leaves man dead

Driver Collides with Light Pole Following Shooting Incident in Lackawanna, Reports JSO

At the time of this report, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has confirmed…
GOP chair rejects Clintons' offer in Epstein investigation ahead of contempt of Congress vote

GOP Chair Dismisses Clintons’ Proposal in Epstein Probe as Contempt Vote Looms

WASHINGTON — On Monday, the Republican leader of a House Committee declined…
Trump Wants No Changes to Government Funding Bill

Trump Advocates for Status Quo in Government Funding Legislation

President Donald Trump announced on Monday his desire to maintain the integrity…
Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters shut down streets in Portland

Portland Streets Paralyzed: Massive Anti-ICE Demonstrations Ignite Citywide Disruption

In a significant demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), hundreds…
Mamdani must bring back our snow days!

Bring Back Snow Days: A Call to Action for Mamdani

When severe weather strikes, it seems our educational institutions often miss the…
Curlers balance full-time jobs with Olympics dreams

Curlers Juggle Full-Time Careers While Pursuing Olympic Aspirations

Olympic athletes often face financial challenges, and their stories shed light on…
Rand Paul says trust in Trump admin 'broken' after Minnesota shooting of Alex Pretti

Senator Rand Paul Criticizes Trust in Trump Administration Following Minnesota Shooting of Alex Pretti

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has openly acknowledged a significant loss of…
Arizona man accused of human smuggling is a repeat offender who once 'threw rocks' at Army helicopter: docs

Arizona Repeat Offender Faces New Human Smuggling Charges After Past Helicopter Assault

The man suspected of orchestrating an illegal immigration operation and shot by…
Rising ISIS threats to US homeland drive AFRICOM airstrikes against terrorists in Somalia

Escalating ISIS Threats Prompt Strategic AFRICOM Airstrikes in Somalia: Safeguarding the U.S. Homeland

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: The United States is intensifying its aerial strikes and…
Members of international organized residential burglary ring arrested after posing as Amazon drivers, Irvine, CA break-in | Video

Homicide Investigation Launched After Courtney Drysdale Found Deceased at The Line Bar in Momence, IL, Confirms Kankakee Sheriff

An investigation into a suspected homicide has been launched after a woman…