A former Colorado funeral home owner involved in one of the most disturbing funeral industry scandals in recent U.S. history is facing years behind bars after investigators discovered nearly 200 decomposing bodies hidden inside a building while grieving families were given fake ashes.

Carie Hallford, 48, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after admitting that she and her ex-husband, Jon Hallford, defrauded families who paid for funeral and cremation services through their business, Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs.

Instead of properly cremating loved ones, prosecutors say the couple often handed families urns filled with concrete mix.

Investigators also discovered that in at least two cases, the wrong bodies were buried.

The shocking scheme came to light in 2023 when authorities uncovered nearly 200 decomposing bodies stored inside the funeral home building.

According to court records, the remains were stacked so high in some areas that they blocked doorways.

Investigators described horrific conditions inside the facility.

There were insects and maggots crawling among the remains. Buckets had been placed around the building to catch fluids leaking from decomposing bodies.

The discovery sent shockwaves through the community and devastated families who believed their loved ones had been respectfully cremated or buried.

Many victims reported suffering long-term emotional trauma after learning the truth.

Some said they experienced panic attacks, nightmares, guilt and shame after realizing their relatives’ remains had been abandoned inside the building.

Carie Hallford now faces up to 20 years in prison in the federal case.

Prosecutors are urging U.S. District Judge Nina Y. Wang to impose a 15-year sentence, arguing that Hallford played a central role in exploiting grieving families and profiting from their trust.

Authorities say the couple collected more than $130,000 from families for funeral services that were never carried out.

Prosecutors also say the Hallfords defrauded the federal government out of nearly $900,000 in pandemic relief funds meant to help struggling small businesses.

Instead of using that money to support the funeral home, investigators say the couple spent it on luxury goods and personal indulgences.

Court filings show purchases included vehicles, cryptocurrency, high-end items from retailers such as Gucci and Tiffany & Co., and cosmetic procedures like laser body sculpting.

Hallford’s attorney, Robert Charles Melihercik, is asking the court to impose a shorter eight-year sentence.

In a sentencing memo, the defense argues that Hallford acted under years of manipulation and abuse from her ex-husband.

The lawyer described her as a “scared and desperate mother” who felt trapped in the failing business and under the control of Jon Hallford.

According to the filing, Jon Hallford allegedly used threats, emotional manipulation and intimidation to maintain control over her.

Melihercik wrote that the “fog in her mind from years of abuse” only began to lift after she was jailed in 2024 and separated from her husband.

But many victims say they are not persuaded by that explanation.

Emma Williams, whose family entrusted the Hallfords with her father’s remains, said Hallford had opportunities to walk away.

“She continued to stay with the business and take advantage of us out of her own greed,” Williams said.

Another victim, Crystina Page, whose son’s body remained at the funeral home for years after his death in 2019, said Hallford enabled the scheme.

“She is just as guilty as he is,” Page said. “He couldn’t have done it without her bringing him the bodies.”

Hallford still faces additional punishment in state court.

She and her ex-husband pleaded guilty to nearly 200 counts of corpse abuse in a separate Colorado case.

Prosecutors say she could face another 25 to 35 years in prison when she is sentenced there next month.

Jon Hallford has already received 20 years in the federal case and 40 years in the state case.

At his sentencing, he admitted the damage he caused.

“I had so many chances to put a stop to everything and walk away,” he said. “My mistakes will echo for a generation.”