Horrifying discovery: 56 decomposing bodies found at Chicago Funeral Home
(South Chicago Chapel)
CHICAGO — A horrific discovery at a South Side funeral home has left grieving families searching for answers after authorities found 56 human remains in various stages of decomposition, some reportedly stored in closets, a garage and other unrefrigerated areas.
Chicago police went to South Chicago Chapel in the South Deering neighborhood Thursday after receiving a tip that bodies were not being properly stored. During a walk-through, officers discovered dozens of remains throughout the facility, according to a police report cited by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has taken custody of the remains and is working to identify the deceased, locate death certificates and determine how each person will be properly laid to rest. Officials said the process could take several days, after which families will be notified.
The discovery came after Illinois regulators suspended the funeral director’s license associated with the business. State officials alleged that multiple decedents had been kept without refrigeration under “deplorable conditions,” with rodent and maggot infestations contributing to the decomposition.
The Chicago Fire Department declared the location a hazardous-materials incident as authorities began removing the remains.
For families who had entrusted South Chicago Chapel with their loved ones, the discovery has been devastating.
Latasha Johnson had just attended her mother’s funeral at the chapel Thursday when police arrived. She later learned that her mother’s remains would need to be examined and identified through the medical examiner’s office.
Another family was desperately searching for 48-year-old Keith Young after his body failed to arrive at a church for his scheduled wake. His relatives said they received no answers from the funeral home and ultimately went to the medical examiner’s office to look for him.
Neighbors said they had complained for months about a powerful foul odor coming from the area. One resident compared the smell to that of a dead animal.
The funeral home’s operators, Johanna and Clark Morgan, have also faced scrutiny over their previous involvement with the Heights Crematory, which authorities said was shut down following problems involving the handling of human remains. Clark Morgan’s funeral director’s license was revoked in 2024.
Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison said he intends to seek a detailed accounting of complaints, inspections and regulatory actions involving South Chicago Chapel and the Morgans’ previous operation.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he was “horrified” by the situation and expressed sympathy for families waiting to learn what happened to their loved ones. As the investigation continues, authorities face the difficult task of identifying all 56 deceased people and determining how their remains came to be stored in such conditions.
No arrests or criminal charges had been announced as of August 7, 2026. For more on this horrific story, see the video below.
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(Sources: CNN, Chicago-Sun Times, Fox News, MSN, The Associated Press)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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