Officials found 56 decomposing bodies at South Chicago Chapel after a tip alleged improper storage. State regulators immediately suspended funeral director Johanna Morgan's license, citing unrefrigerated conditions and infestations. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is assessing remains, searching for identifications and death certificates, and warned the process could take several days. No criminal charges had been announced as of Friday morning while state and local agencies continue their investigation.
56 Decomposing Bodies Found at South Chicago Chapel; Funeral Director's License Suspended
Over 50 decomposing bodies found inside Chicago funeral home
Officials discovered 56 decomposing bodies inside the South Chicago Chapel after police received a tip alleging that remains were not being stored properly, authorities and local media reported.
More than 50 decomposing bodies have been found inside a funeral home on the far South Side of Chicago (Pat Nabong /Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, forensic pathologists and investigators responded after local and state officials alerted them to the conditions at the chapel. Investigators found bodies in varying stages of decomposition and described unsanitary conditions, including rodent activity and maggot infestation on some remains.
Officials said the conditions at the funeral home were so deplorable that there were maggots on the bodies (Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
License Suspension and Regulatory Response
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) moved quickly to suspend funeral director Johanna Morgan's license, saying the South Chicago Chapel posed a 'danger to the public safety, interest and welfare.' State regulators said Morgan had been allowing multiple decedents to be kept in an unrefrigerated area with deplorable conditions, according to records cited by CBS News Chicago.
The disturbing discovery was made at the South Chicago Chapel Thursday after police reportedly got a tip about bodies not being properly stored (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere /Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
The IDFPR confirmed it is coordinating with local agencies to ensure appropriate regulatory and public-safety steps are taken. The department also noted that Morgan's husband, Clark Morgan, had a funeral director and embalmer intern license revoked in 2024.
Investigation and Next Steps
The Medical Examiner's Office said teams are assessing the condition of each set of remains, searching for identification documents and death certificates, and documenting the scene. Officials warned this process could take several days to complete to ensure proper identification and disposition of the decedents.
As of Friday morning, no criminal charges had been announced. Authorities are continuing their joint inquiry to determine whether further enforcement or legal action is warranted.
Community Impact and Context
Neighbors say the stench was noticeable for months. Valkiery Velez, who lives next to the chapel, told CBS News Chicago, 'I could smell it the whole year.' The case has renewed scrutiny of local funeral providers and crematories: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza—who noted prior problems at the Heights Crematory operated by the same people—called the recurrence 'infuriating' after that facility's license was permanently revoked last year.
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, CBS News Chicago, Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
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