Full Breakdown
Colorado Brothers Arrested After Discovery of Dozens of Decomposing Bodies at Davis Mortuary
6/26/2026, 6:45:57 AM
Arrest and Discovery at Davis Mortuary
State inspectors entered Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado, after detecting a strong odor of decomposition. The inspection uncovered 24 decomposing bodies and skeletal remains hidden behind a door. The investigation led to the arrest of former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Lee Cotten, 65, and his brother Christopher Aaron Cotten, 60, on 125 counts of corpse abuse. Both were ordered held on a $1 million bond.
Regulatory Background: 2024 Inspection Rules
Colorado historically ranked among the states with the weakest funeral-home oversight, lacking routine inspections and formal qualifications for operators. In response to prior abuses, the state adopted new rules in 2024 that introduced routine inspections of funeral homes. The Davis Mortuary inspection was the first conducted under these rules, illustrating the effort to close systemic gaps.
Primary Individuals and Agencies
Brian Lee Cotten served as Pueblo County Coroner until his September 2023 resignation; his brother Christopher Aaron Cotten co-owned Davis Mortuary. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued statements through its director, Armando Saldate. State inspectors performed the site survey that triggered the investigation.
Quantitative Findings
Investigators recovered 24 bodies, 19 of which have been positively identified. Tissue from two additional individuals was found in containers, and numerous skeletal fragments lack clear provenance. The Cotten brothers face 125 counts of corpse abuse, and the court set a combined bond of $1 million.
Official Statements and Agency Response
The CBI released a statement citing ethical breaches and a commitment to accountability. The discovery occurred during the first inspection under the new 2024 rules, which enabled authorities to uncover the violations. Court documents show the brothers had no legal representation and did not comment.
Criticism of Oversight and Prior Abuse Cases
Advocates cite the Hallford case, where Carie and Jon Hallford allegedly misappropriated $130,000 from families and gave urns of concrete instead of cremated remains. The case highlights concerns about weak regulatory safeguards and fuels calls for stricter licensing and monitoring.
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
Nineteen of the 24 bodies have been identified; five remain unconfirmed. The total number and origins of skeletal remains have not been disclosed. The brothers also lacked legal counsel at the initial hearing, leaving a gap in understanding their defense.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The evidence uncovered during this investigation reveals a complete disregard for the dignity of the deceased and the trust placed in Davis Mortuary by families in our community,” — Armando Saldate, CBI Director
- “We are committed to ensuring that those responsible for these actions are held accountable.” — Armando Saldate, CBI Director
Future Proceedings
The Cotten brothers will appear in Pueblo state court later this week. The case is the first under Colorado’s 2024 funeral-home inspection rules, highlighting the new regulatory framework.
