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
Hegseth Orders 200 National Guard Troops to Portland—State Dems Immediately Flip Out, Take Action

Hegseth Deploys 200 National Guard Troops to Portland—State Democrats React Swiftly

On Saturday, President Donald Trump authorized military intervention to address ongoing issues…
North Carolina restaurant ambush ‘highly premeditated,’ suspect tied to anti-LGBTQ conspiracies: docs

Documents reveal that an ambush at a North Carolina restaurant was thoroughly planned, with the suspect linked to anti-LGBTQ conspiracy theories.

A weekend shooting that left three people dead and five others injured…
Daughter honors missing mom 1 year after Helene flooding

Daughter Pays Tribute to Mother 1 Year After Helene Flood Disaster

One year after Helene’s floodwaters carried Kim Ashby away, she remains among…
Trump stakes Gaza peace hopes on 21-point plan as Israel, Houthis continue deadly fighting

Trump Introduces 20-Step Strategy for Gaza Peace, Proposing Amnesty for Certain Hamas Members

New York, NY – President Donald Trump released his new 20-point plan…
Charlie Kirk Shot

Hearing Scheduled for Suspect in Charlie Kirk Case

PROVO, Utah (AP) — The 22-year-old man accused of killing Charlie Kirk…
Longtime customer shot at Jacksonville restaurant

Frequent Patron Injured in Shooting at Jacksonville Restaurant

A customer was shot during a weekend incident at Que Padre Mexican…
Chicago road closures: Chicago Avenue Bridge closing Monday for reconstruction project

Chicago Traffic Alert: Reconstruction of Chicago Avenue Bridge Set to Begin Monday

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Avenue bridge closes Monday over the river.…
Alabama man charged in hit-and-run in Tuscaloosa

Alabama Resident Faces Charges in Tuscaloosa Hit-and-Run Incident

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — An Alabama man was arrested following a hit-and-run…
Texas woman with history of 5 marriages faces murder trial in husband's insulin death

Texas Woman with Five Previous Marriages Goes to Trial Over Husband’s Insulin-Related Death

Jury selection has begun in the high-profile murder trial of Sarah Hartsfield, the…
Vance, Johnson Hold Presser, Rip and Expose Democrats for Government Shutdown Gambit

Vance and Johnson Criticize and Unveil Democrats’ Strategy in Response to Government Shutdown

On Monday, Republicans and Democrats convened in a last attempt to prevent…
Police share new pictures of third suspect amid manhunt in congressional intern’s killing

Authorities Release New Photos of Third Suspect as Search Continues in Congressional Intern’s Murder Case

Police in Washington, D.C., released more pictures of a third suspect accused…
China won't let Trump take Bagram Air Base back from the Taliban without a fight, expert warns

Expert Predicts: China Unlikely to Allow Trump to Reclaim Bagram Air Base from Taliban Without Challenge

President Donald Trump made the shocking announcement this month that the U.S.…