Pueblo County Coroner Accused of Storing Decades-Old Bodies in Private Mortuary
- Victor Nwoko
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
Authorities in Colorado have discovered approximately 20 decomposing bodies stored in a private mortuary operated by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter and his brother, Chris Cotter, raising serious criminal concerns. The bodies, found in a regular room without refrigeration or proper mortuary equipment, were reportedly in various stages of decomposition, with some believed to have been stored for up to 15 years.
The discovery was made during a routine inspection by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies' Division of Professions and Occupations at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo. Officials say the Cotter brothers admitted to authorities that the bodies had been awaiting cremation for years and that some next-of-kin may have been given false cremains. The crematory license for the mortuary had been revoked in November 2024.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office officials described the find as “deeply disturbing and tragic.” Investigators reported that the bodies were visible from the doorway behind a cardboard display, and a full assessment would have required moving them. The CBI and state regulators have issued a summary suspension of Davis Mortuary’s private funeral home license.
CBI Director Armando Saldate III confirmed that Cotter remains the elected county coroner while authorities consider legal avenues to address the alleged misconduct. The location of Chris Cotter is currently unknown. The investigation is ongoing, with criminal charges under consideration against Brian Cotter.
This incident follows a prior high-profile case in Colorado involving illegal storage and disposal of human remains, highlighting ongoing regulatory and criminal concerns in the state’s funeral industry.
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