芝加哥South Chicago Chapel殡仪馆本周四被发现存放了56具腐烂遗体，存放环境恶劣，充斥鼠患和蛆虫感染[1]。州监管部门指控该殡仪馆"允许多具遗体存放在无冷藏设备的区域，环境恶劣，包括鼠患、腐烂和蛆虫感染"[1]。殡仪馆由Johanna和Clark Morgan夫妇经营，Johanna Morgan的执照已在周三被暂停[1]。
这对夫妇曾因遗体处置不当问题而陷入监管困境。Clark Morgan的执照在2024年被撤销，撤销原因包括"持过期执照执业"和"不专业行为"[1]。二人此前运营的Chicago Heights火葬场在去年被撤销执照，当时发现了存放不当的遗体和数百具从未交付给家属的火化遗骨[1]。事件发生前，社区居民已多月投诉该殡仪馆存在恶臭气味[1]。警方目前正在调查此案，尚无人被逮捕[1]。
Authorities discovered 56 decomposing human remains stored at South Chicago Chapel in Chicago on Thursday, sparking an investigation into conditions at the funeral home [1]. The facility, operated by Johanna and Clark Morgan, housed the bodies in areas without refrigeration equipment, creating an environment marked by severe deterioration, rodent infestation, and maggot contamination [1].
State regulators suspended Johanna Morgan's license on Wednesday, citing the funeral home's practice of "permitting multiple human remains to be stored in a non-refrigerated area with inadequate conditions, including rodent infestation, decomposition, and insect infestation" [1]. Police are investigating the matter, though no arrests have been made at this time [1]. Residents in the surrounding community had complained of foul odors emanating from the facility for months prior to the discovery [1].
The discovery follows a troubling history involving the operators. Clark Morgan's license was revoked in 2024 for "practicing with an expired license" and "unprofessional conduct" [1]. The couple previously operated a crematory in Chicago Heights that lost its license last year after authorities found improperly stored remains and hundreds of cremated remains that were never delivered to families [1].