More than 50 decomposing bodies found at Far South Side funeral home
South Chicago Funeral Home Faces License Suspension After Discovery of Decomposing Bodies
Wertynews.com – An investigation is underway at a Far South Side funeral home after officials discovered more than 50 decomposing bodies stored in deplorable conditions. The facility, South Chicago Chapel, located at the corner of 95th Street and Exchange Avenue, has seen Chicago police officers entering and exiting throughout Thursday evening as the situation unfolded.
State regulators suspended funeral director Johanna Morgan's license after finding that the facility's continued practice posed a danger to public safety. According to Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation records, Morgan had been allowing multiple decedents to remain in an unrefrigerated area with rodent infestations, leading to decomposition and maggot infestation of the bodies.
"It just, like, stinks all the time. Like, it's so bad," said one neighbor who has lived directly behind South Chicago Chapel for about a year. "I don't know, like a dead mouse. Like, it stinks."
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed it was notified by city and state officials about the improperly stored bodies. Investigators and forensic pathologists who visited the facility found the decedents in various states of decomposition. The medical examiner's office stated that staff are still assessing body conditions and searching for documents to identify them, including death certificates—a process expected to take several days.
Community Impact and Previous Incidents
While the investigation continues, local residents have reported long-standing concerns. One neighbor, identified only as "V," described a constant disturbing smell emanating from the funeral home. Meanwhile, staff from Emmanuel Funeral Home & Cremation Services arrived at South Chicago Chapel on Thursday evening to retrieve a body, unaware of the ongoing investigation.
"We stopped by to get someone. We don't know what's going on at the moment," Pastor Christopher Jennings explained. "We talked to them the first time, they picked up, they talked to us, they said they'd give us a call back. After that, there was no call. We kept calling, so we decided to do a wellness check to see what was going on and this is what we come to."
The funeral home's ownership history reveals similar concerns. According to the Illinois Secretary of State's website, the active business license lists Clark Morgan, Johanna's husband, as president. Clark Morgan previously operated Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights, which was shut down last year amid accusations of mishandling recently deceased individuals. The crematory agreed to close operations following a probe by the Illinois State Comptroller's office.
CBS News Chicago obtained photographs from inside a trailer at the Heights crematory showing bodies partially wrapped in sheets or clear plastic bags, with faces and body parts exposed. Additional bodies were found in bags moved from another trailer on the property, raising questions about storage areas lacking proper refrigeration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many bodies were found at South Chicago Chapel? A: Investigators found more than 50 decedents in various states of decomposition at the facility.
Q: What happened to the funeral director's license? A: Johanna Morgan's license was suspended by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation due to deplorable storage conditions that endangered public safety.
Q: When did the investigation begin? A: Chicago police were observed at the facility on Thursday evening, and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed notification from city and state officials.
Q: Is there a connection to previous incidents? A: Yes, Clark Morgan previously owned Heights Crematory, which was shut down last year for similar issues with body storage and handling.
Q: How long will identification take? A: The medical examiner's office is still assessing conditions and searching for documents including death certificates, a process that could take several days.