56 decomposing bodies found at Chicago funeral home run by couple with prior crematory violations

Discovery at South Chicago Chapel

Investigators found the remains of 56 to 57 people in various states of decomposition at the South Chicago Chapel funeral home on Thursday, August 6, according to authorities. The Guardian and NOS reported 56 remains, while the Independent cited a police report stating 57. The bodies were stored in an unrefrigerated area, with some showing maggot infestation and rodents roaming the space. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office dispatched investigators and forensic pathologists to the scene after being notified by state and local officials. Staff is assessing the conditions of the remains, searching for documentation regarding identification of the decedents as well as death certificates, a process the office said could take several days.

The discovery followed months of complaints from neighbors about a stench emanating from the building. Valkiery Velez, who has lived next to the funeral home with her three-year-old for about a year, told CBS News Chicago she could smell it the entire time. Police were called to assist with a license investigation at the funeral home on Thursday after receiving a tip about bodies not being properly stored, according to a police report obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. Authorities worked overnight taking bodies from the funeral home to begin the identification process.

Operators with prior violations

The funeral home is operated by Johanna and Clark Morgan, according to Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, whose office licenses funeral homes in the state. Johanna Morgan's funeral director license was suspended after officials determined the South Chicago Chapel posed a danger to the public safety, interest and welfare. State records cited by CBS News said Morgan had been allowing multiple decedents to be kept in an unrefrigerated area with deplorable conditions including rodent infestation, causing decomposition and maggot infestation of the bodies. Johanna Morgan founded South Chicago Chapel Inc. in 2022.

Clark Morgan, listed as president of South Chicago Chapel on the Illinois Secretary of State's website, had his funeral director and embalmer intern license revoked in 2024 for practicing with an expired license and for unprofessional conduct. The couple previously operated Heights Crematory in Chicago, which was shut down in 2025 after investigators found bodies had been mishandled. Authorities also discovered hundreds of urns that had never been returned to families. Michael Sharkey, general counsel at the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, said he initially reported the incident at Heights Crematory last year.

“It is extremely disturbing that the same individuals who appear to be involved with the events at South Side Chapel are the same persons.”

Sharkey also questioned why the comptroller's office was not watching the Morgans more closely, while noting that in general he thinks the IDFPR has done a good job.

Families left waiting

No arrests had been announced as of Friday morning, though Chicago police said detectives are investigating. On Friday, a small number of residents and people seeking information about their deceased loved ones gathered outside the brick-walled funeral home. Latasha Johnson, 55, said her mother's funeral was held at South Chicago Chapel on Thursday before authorities arrived. She said authorities told her that her mother's body would have to undergo an autopsy and she would have to identify the remains in a day or two.

“I'm discombobulated. My heart is broken.”

Patrice Halliburton told CBS News Chicago that her deceased sister was supposed to be cremated at the funeral home, but she is now unsure whether she received her sister's actual remains.

“We don't know if Melody is in there or not. So right now, we're more fearful than we are angry. I'd rather save that anger for later when we know for sure what's going on.”

Mendoza, who is running for Chicago mayor in next year's election, called the discovery heartbreaking and a scandal, noting that the remains belong to people's mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children and friends who deserve better.