What’s next? Victim advocate line established for those who entrusted remains to Davis Mortuary
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- 13 Investigates was first to break the story that bodies had allegedly been left to decompose in a secret room at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo. Some of them, according to Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) records, had reportedly been there for 15 years.
READ MORE: Pueblo County Coroner accused of hiding bodies in secret room at his privately-owned funeral home
According to inspectors, mortuary owner Brian Cotter allegedly told inspectors that he "may" have given family members of the deceased fake cremated remains.
Several previous Davis Mortuary clients have reached out to 13 Investigates, asking what's next to determine they actually have their loved one's remains.
One client, Misty Steele, who trusted Davis Mortuary with her uncle, cousin, grandmother, and most recently her dad, says she's devastated.
Steele lost her father earlier this year and has been carrying his ashes with her ever since in a heart-shaped necklace she wears every day.
"Like, who am I holding? Whose around my neck? What could it possibly be? Is my dad down there in the basement? Like, I just don't know in, like, all the other families shouldn't have these questions. Shouldn't it be wondering who or what they have, either, or where their loved one could be?" she said.
Steele is one of many clients left looking for justice and answers.
"15 years like that could be hundreds of people, hundreds of family members, and everyone now like looking up at their mantel and seeing a jar and wondering what is in it, who is in it, like wondering if their loved one is in the basement instead of around their neck."
According to the lead agency, the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI), officials have set up a victim advocate/tip line, which families can reach at (719)257-3359. You can also email the CBI at CBITIPS@state.co.us
If you have used services with Davis Mortuary and want your voice heard in ongoing KRDO13 coverage, please email news@krdo.com with the subject line "Davis Mortuary." KRDO13 is working to get an email address up solely designated to Davis Mortuary families.
In a press conference on Thursday, the District Attorney's Office said that formal charges against Cotter have not been filed. Charges will be reviewed after the investigation is complete, said District Attorney Kala Beauvais.
According to local families, there will be a candle vigil outside the funeral home at 6 p.m.
For now, it's a waiting game for people like Jennifer Neighbours, who used services from Davis Mortuary for their loved ones. She shared the following statement:
​"My heart is with every family that has trusted the care of their loved ones body to Davis Mortuary. Our family has used their services for several loved ones over the years the most recent being my sister back in April . Taking advantage of people during such a sad and vulnerable time and finding out your loved one possibly wasn't given the proper respect just adds to the grief.
But as the Bible states, the dead are conscious of nothing and we take comfort in Jehovah’s promise of the resurrection. So even if it's our loved one's body that's possibly in that room we know we can rest assured that they are not suffering in accordance to Ecclesiastes 9:5, that states the dead are conscious of nothing and that we will see them again. According to John 5:28,29 and much gives us hope of a resurrection, we can take great comfort in that. And hopefully whatever the reason is for these bodies not being properly handled I hope it gets taken care of swiftly and with the care it deserves for the sake of the families who are going through this horrible ordeal."
-Jennifer Neighbours, former client of Davis Mortuary
To read our full coverage of the Davis Mortuary case, click here.
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