THE WORD
- More than 50 bodies were discovered at South Chicago Chapel funeral home on Chicago’s Far Southeast Side.
- The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office says the remains were found in “various states of decomposition.”
- Chicago police responded to the funeral home at 2939 E. 95th Street Thursday afternoon while assisting state regulators with a licensing investigation.
- Investigators and forensic pathologists are working to identify the deceased and review records and death certificates.
- Officials warn the identification process could take several days.
- The investigation remains ongoing.
CHICAGO — A disturbing investigation is underway on Chicago’s Far Southeast Side after authorities discovered more than 50 human remains improperly stored inside a funeral home.
According to NBC Chicago, Chicago police were called to South Chicago Chapel, 2939 E. 95th Street in the South Deering neighborhood, around 2 p.m. Thursday to assist the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with a licensing investigation.
During the investigation, officers discovered human remains at the property.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that more than 50 bodies were found inside the facility in what officials described as “various states of decomposition.”
By early Friday morning, investigators and forensic pathologists remained at the funeral home working to assess the remains and review documentation, including death certificates.
Officials said the process of identifying the deceased and determining the proper disposition of the remains could take several days. The Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to work alongside other agencies to identify the individuals and notify their families as quickly as possible.
The discovery has also raised serious concerns for families who entrusted the funeral home with their loved ones. NBC Chicago reported that one woman arrived at the facility Thursday searching for her husband’s body after it reportedly did not arrive for a scheduled viewing. His funeral had been scheduled for Friday.
Residents living near the funeral home also reported noticing a disturbing odor coming from the property. NBC Chicago reported that its crew could detect an unusual smell while reporting near the scene.
Social media reports circulating Friday morning have placed the number of remains at 57. However, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office had publicly confirmed only “more than 50” in the latest official information reported by NBC Chicago.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the deceased.
The investigation also comes roughly a year after a separate Chicago Heights crematory was shut down following allegations that approximately 100 bodies had been improperly stored at that facility.
As of Friday morning, police tape remained around the South Chicago Chapel property while investigators continued examining and removing remains.
Questions remain about how long the bodies had been stored inside the funeral home, how the conditions were allowed to develop and whether additional regulatory action or criminal charges could follow.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Source: NBC Chicago — Dozens of decomposing bodies discovered at Chicago funeral home on Southeast Side
This is a developing story. WHATS THE WORD will provide updates as additional information is confirmed.
