Authorities Uncover 57 Decomposing Bodies at Chicago Funeral Home

WHO:

Fox 32 Chicago - Funeral director and embalmer Johanna Morgan has had her license temporarily suspended after the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation determined the funeral home posed "a danger to public safety, interest and welfare."

Fox 32 Chicago - Clark Morgan, husband of Johanna Morgan, previously held a funeral director and embalmer intern license, which was revoked in 2024.

CNN - Cook County officials are involved in the investigation.

Chicago Sun-Times - Funeral director Clark Morgan was present during the police investigation.

Chicago Sun-Times - Johanna Morgan's license was suspended; she is identified as a registered funeral director.

WHAT:

Chicago Sun-Times - A police report indicated that the bodies were found in various areas of the funeral home, with some not refrigerated and in various states of decomposition.

Chicago Sun-Times - The police report noted that the business's license was revoked on a Wednesday prior to the discovery of the bodies.

Fox 32 Chicago - The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is working to identify each set of remains and will notify families as soon as possible.

ABC News US - Authorities have confirmed that over 50 bodies were found improperly stored at the funeral home.

Fox 32 Chicago - The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is working to identify each set of remains by reviewing paperwork, death certificates, and other documentation before notifying families.

Chicago Sun-Times - A neighbor reported that the foul smell began during the winter, and multiple neighbors had reported the situation to law enforcement six months prior to the discovery.

Chicago Sun-Times - A woman expressed concern about her mother's remains, stating she had been told she would have access to her mom’s cremated remains less than two weeks after the funeral, which was now nearing three weeks.

Fox 32 Chicago - The investigation has disrupted funeral services for several families, including the family of 10-year-old Montana Weathers, who have not yet received his ashes.

Chicago Sun-Times - A funeral was in progress on July 18 when police arrived at the South Chicago Chapel.

Fox 32 Chicago - Investigators were seen removing multiple sets of remains from the funeral home and transporting them to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

CNN - The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office stated that the process of assessing the conditions of the remains and searching for documentation regarding identification of the decedents could take several days to ensure proper disposition.

Chicago Sun-Times - A resident living next to the funeral home reported that the smell was like “a dead mouse” and described it as “stinks all the time.”

Chicago Sun-Times - The Chicago Fire Department declared the scene “a hazardous material (HAZMAT) incident.”

Chicago Sun-Times - A neighbor reported that they had put up traps for the thousands of flies emanating from the building and had reported the situation to law enforcement six months prior to the discovery.

Chicago Sun-Times - A one-star Google review of the chapel posted two weeks ago complained: “HORRIBLE!! It smells and they are very unprofessional.”

CNN - More than 50 bodies were found in “various states of decomposition” at the South Chicago Chapel funeral home.

Chicago Sun-Times - A total of 57 decomposing bodies were discovered at the funeral home.

CNN - The medical examiner’s office is assessing the conditions of the remains and searching for documentation regarding identification of the decedents.

Chicago Sun-Times - The funeral director and embalmer license was temporarily suspended due to conditions deemed a danger to public safety.

Chicago Sun-Times - Bodies were found in an unrefrigerated area with deplorable conditions, including rodent infestation and maggot infestation.

WHERE:

CNN - The investigation took place at the South Chicago Chapel funeral home.

Chicago Sun-Times - The address of the funeral home is 2939 E. 95th St., located in the South Deering neighborhood of Chicago.

WHEN:

Fox 32 Chicago - Patrice Halliburton stated that her family used South Chicago Chapel for her older sister's cremation services on June 13.

Chicago Sun-Times - Police were notified of the situation on a Thursday.

Chicago Sun-Times - The funeral home’s license was revoked on a Wednesday prior to the discovery of the bodies.

Chicago Sun-Times - A funeral was in progress at the time police arrived.

WHY:

Fox 32 Chicago - The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation alerted local agencies after investigating the situation at the funeral home.

Chicago Sun-Times - The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation suspended the license of Johanna Morgan, a registered funeral director, and noted that her husband previously held a funeral director and embalmer intern license, which was revoked in 2024.

CNN - Authorities were alerted to the improper storage of decedents by Illinois and Chicago officials.

Chicago Sun-Times - Police acted on a tip regarding bodies not being stored at or below 40 degrees, as required by state regulations.

HOW:

Chicago Sun-Times - Officers initially left the building but were later denied re-entry by Clark Morgan, who padlocked the door on the advice of his attorney, prompting officers to call the Chicago Fire Department for assistance in gaining entry.

Chicago Sun-Times - Officers initially left the building but were later denied re-entry by Clark Morgan, who padlocked the door on the advice of his attorney.

CNN - Chicago police assisted the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with a license investigation.

Chicago Sun-Times - Officers conducted a walk-through of the funeral home, during which they discovered the bodies.

(UPDATED August 8, 2026 02:58 UTC)

Authorities have confirmed that over 50 bodies were found improperly stored at a funeral home, with some remains not refrigerated and in various states of decomposition. A police report revealed that the business's license was revoked just days before the discovery, and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is currently working to identify each set of remains to notify families as soon as possible. Initially, officers left the building but were later denied re-entry by Clark Morgan, who padlocked the door on his attorney's advice, leading officers to call the Chicago Fire Department for assistance in gaining access.

(UPDATED August 8, 2026 00:42 UTC)

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is currently working to identify remains found in a Chicago building, reviewing paperwork and death certificates before notifying families. Neighbors had reported a foul smell for months, and concerns have arisen from families waiting for access to their loved ones' remains, including the family of 10-year-old Montana Weathers, who have yet to receive his ashes. The situation escalated when officers were initially denied re-entry to the building by Clark Morgan, who padlocked the door on his attorney's advice, leading police to call the Chicago Fire Department for assistance.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 22:30 UTC)

Johanna Morgan, a funeral director and embalmer, has had her license temporarily suspended after the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation found that her funeral home posed a danger to public safety. During a funeral on July 18, police discovered multiple sets of remains being improperly handled at the South Chicago Chapel, leading to their removal and transport to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Clark Morgan, Johanna's husband, who previously held an intern license that was revoked in 2024, denied officers re-entry to the building by padlocking the door on his attorney's advice.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 16:47 UTC)

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has announced that it will take several days to assess the conditions of the remains and search for identification documentation. Meanwhile, a resident living next to the funeral home described the overwhelming smell as reminiscent of “a dead mouse” and noted that it has been a persistent issue, prompting them to report the situation to law enforcement six months prior. In response to the hazardous conditions, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has suspended the license of funeral director Johanna Morgan, whose husband previously had his funeral director and embalmer intern license revoked in 2024.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 14:18 UTC)

In a shocking discovery, authorities found a total of 57 decomposing bodies in various states of decay at the South Chicago Chapel funeral home, located at 2939 E. 95th St. The investigation, which involved Cook County officials and Chicago police, was prompted by a tip about improper storage conditions that violated state regulations, leading to the temporary suspension of the funeral director's license due to public safety concerns. During the police walk-through, bodies were found in an unrefrigerated area with deplorable conditions, including rodent and maggot infestations, while the medical examiner’s office is now working to assess the remains and identify the decedents.