Authorities found 56 bodies at South Chicago Chapel during a licensing inspection on Aug. 6, prompting police and Cook County Medical Examiner involvement. Officials say the remains were improperly stored and in various stages of decomposition; investigators are assessing conditions and searching for identification records. The funeral director's license was suspended on Aug. 5, and no criminal charges have been announced as inquiries continue.
56 Decomposing Bodies Found at South Chicago Chapel During License Inspection
Police vehicles outside South Chicago Chapel in ChicagoCredit: ABC 7 Chicago/Youtube
Authorities discovered 56 human remains in various stages of decomposition at South Chicago Chapel on Chicago's South Side during a licensing inspection on Aug. 6. Chicago police assisted state regulators and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office after first responders encountered human remains upon entering the funeral home.
What investigators found
Officials located a total of 56 bodies that were reportedly stored improperly and in unrefrigerated space. Cook County Medical Examiner staff said they found remains in "various states of decomposition" and are now assessing each decedent, searching for identification records and death certificates. The medical examiner cautioned that documentation and the proper disposition process could take several days.
Allegations and local reports
Local reporting and investigative records cited by ABC7 allege the funeral home's director, Johanna Morgan, permitted multiple decedents to be kept in an area described as in deplorable condition, including signs of rodent activity and maggot infestation on some bodies. Neighbors said a persistent foul odor had been noticeable around the building for months.
South Chicago Chapel in ChicagoCredit: google maps
Oh man, it's awful, said one neighbor, who added that the smell resembled dead animals and persisted during the past year.
A woman who identified herself as Latasha Johnson said her mother's funeral was underway when police arrived. She recalled a family member associated with the funeral home attributing the smell to mildew and attempting to mask it with disinfectant.
Licensing and legal status
Authorities suspended Johanna Morgan's funeral director license on Aug. 5. Her husband, Clark Morgan, previously had his license revoked in 2024 in connection with a separate case, local outlets reported. As of the latest public reports, no criminal charges have been announced; investigations by city, county, and state agencies remain open as officials work to identify the decedents, secure records, and determine next steps for proper handling and disposition of the remains.
Next steps
Cook County Medical Examiner personnel are continuing forensic assessments and record searches. The investigation involves multiple agencies and may require several days or longer to resolve documentation, identification, and disposition questions.
Help us improve.
