Colorado county coroner caught with roughly 20 bodies rotting in his private mortuary

Colorado state inspectors uncovered approximately 20 decomposing human bodies hidden behind a concealed door at Davis Mortuary. Davis Mortuary is a private funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter. The shocking discovery has now prompted criminal investigations and calls for Cotter’s immediate resignation.

The gruesome discovery

On August 20, 2025, inspectors from Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) conducted the first mandatory inspection of Cotter’s business.

During the inspection, authorities detected a strong odor of decomposition and noticed a door hidden behind a cardboard display. Upon removing the display, they estimated seeing about 20 bodies in various stages of decay.

Cotter, who co-owns the mortuary with his brother Chris and has served as county coroner since 2014, admitted that some of the bodies had been awaiting cremation for up to 15 years. He acknowledged that family members may have been given fake cremated remains. Cotter and his brother bought the mortuary in 1989.

Within hours, DORA issued a summary suspension of Davis Mortuary’s license. Investigators, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, and local law enforcement, launched a full-fledged criminal investigation.

Colorado’s Governor calls for Cotter to resign

As the gruesome news spread, Colorado Governor Jared Polis called for Cotter’s immediate resignation, stating that the coroner’s actions have severely undermined public trust. The governor emphasized that no one should “ever have to wonder if their loved one is being taken care of with dignity and respect.”

While the governor lacks the power to unilaterally remove Cotter—an elected official—residents could pursue a recall election. The governor also declared an emergency disaster to mobilize state resources supporting the ongoing investigation and to assist in managing Pueblo County’s coroner operations during the crisis.

CBI Director Armando Saldate III called the incident “a profound violation of trust and a heartbreaking betrayal of the families” whose loved ones were entrusted to the mortuary. Officials emphasized that the remains would be handled “respectfully and humanely” with assistance from hazardous-materials experts.

Although no criminal charges have yet been filed, Pueblo County District Attorney Kala Beauvais confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.