CHICAGO () — Authorities were investigating a funeral home on Chicago’s Southeast Side on Thursday evening after officials said more than 50 decomposing bodies were discovered inside.
The investigation unfolded at South Chicago Chapel funeral home, located in the 2900 block of East 95th Street.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, investigators found “more than 50 decedents in various states of decomposition” at the facility.
The Medical Examiner’s Office said its teams are working to confirm the identities of the deceased while reviewing related records, including death certificates.
Officials said that effort may take several days. They also said they intend to coordinate with other agencies to notify families as soon as possible.
Chicago police said officers were called to the scene to assist the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with a licensing investigation, during which human remains were located.
The Chicago Fire Department also responded, and the scene was classified as a hazardous materials incident, police said.
State records list the facility’s owner as “Clark Morgan.”
That is the same name of the person who ran Chicago Heights crematory that ABC7 reported on last year that was shut down after more than 100 bodies were found in improperly stored in trailers on the property.
A woman named Tarshia Logan told ABC7 hat her late husband’s viewing was supposed to be Thursday afternoon at South Chicago Chapel funeral home, but when their family arrived, there was no body and only one person on site.
Logan said that person walked away as they demanded answers.
She said her husband’s funeral was scheduled for Friday and now she does not know what to do or who to reach out to.
ABC7 has reached out to the funeral home but have not yet gotten a response.
No further information was immediately available the investigation continues.
This is a developing story.
