Fact Check: Families received fake ashes while their loved ones rotted in a decrepit building.

Fact Check: "Families received fake ashes while their loved ones rotted in a decrepit building."

What We Know

In October 2023, a disturbing case emerged from Colorado involving the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, where authorities discovered 189 decaying bodies stored improperly. Reports indicate that the funeral home may have fabricated cremation records and provided families with fake ashes instead of the remains of their loved ones. Families have come forward expressing their belief that they received materials resembling cement dust rather than actual ashes (Associated Press).

The investigation revealed that the funeral home had issued death certificates claiming cremation was performed by two different crematories. However, both crematories denied conducting any cremations for Return to Nature on the dates listed (Associated Press). This has led to fears among families that their loved ones were never cremated at all and instead might be among the unidentified remains found at the facility.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding this claim is substantial and corroborated by multiple sources. The Associated Press has extensively reported on the situation, detailing the testimonies of families who received ashes that they suspect are not genuine. One family, for instance, reported that the ashes they received had a consistency similar to dry concrete, which has been used in the past by other fraudulent funeral homes to mimic human ashes (Associated Press).

The credibility of the Associated Press as a source is high, given its long-standing reputation for journalistic integrity and thorough reporting. The claims made by families are supported by the findings of law enforcement, which confirmed the presence of improperly stored human remains. Additionally, a civil lawsuit has been filed against the funeral home, with a judge ordering the owners to pay $950 million to the victims' families, further validating the claims of wrongdoing (Associated Press).

While the CIA's statement regarding WikiLeaks and unrelated intelligence matters does not pertain to this claim, it highlights the importance of verifying information from credible sources. In this case, the evidence from the Associated Press and corroborating reports from other news outlets provide a clear picture of the events at the funeral home.

Conclusion

The claim that families received fake ashes while their loved ones rotted in a decrepit building is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources supports the assertion that the Return to Nature Funeral Home engaged in fraudulent practices, leading to significant distress for the affected families.

Sources

1. CIA Statement on Claims by Wikileaks - CIA - The World Factbook
2. Colorado funeral home: After 189 bodies were ... - Associated Press News
3. Vault 7 - Wikipedia
4. Families whose loved ones were left rotting in Colorado funeral home ...
5. Family sues Colorado funeral home where 189 ... - Associated Press News
6. Families Whose Loved Ones Were Left Decaying in Colorado Funeral Home ...
7. Vault 7: CIA Hacking Tools Revealed - WikiLeaks
8. Colorado funeral home owner who stashed decomposing bodies ... - CNN