Return to Nature Funeral Home co-owner Carie Hallford appeared for a preliminary hearing in El Paso County District Court Thursday, Jan. 11th, where witnesses read aloud text messages between her and her husband, Jon Hallford.
The Hallford’s are accused of accepting payment from families of decedents for cremations, then piling the bodies in their Penrose facility, and giving families falsified death certificates and bags of concrete powder in place of their loved ones’ ashes.
They are facing numerous charges, including 190 counts of abuse of a corpse, four counts of theft, four counts of money laundering and 61 counts of forgery, all felonies.
Text messages between the couple dating back to May 2020 include conversations about their funeral home, their customers, and trying to avoid going to prison. Texts between the two also list needed items, including tarps, blankets, towels, absorbents, additional folding tables and air fresheners.
Jon Hallford’s bond was reduced last week from $2 million to $100,000. He is set to appear in court next February 8th.
Carie Hallford will be back in court today, Jan. 12th, when the judge will consider a defense motion to prevent the release of the probable cause affidavit. Bond arguments will be heard January 17th.
