Cook County authorities discovered more than 50 decomposing bodies at a Chicago funeral home on the city’s Southeast Side, marking the second time in less than two years that the same operator has been linked to improper storage of human remains.
Shocking Discovery on Chicago’s Southeast Side
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Thursday evening that investigators found more than 50 deceased individuals in various stages of decomposition at South Chicago Chapel funeral home, located in the 2900 block of East 95th Street. Chicago police responded to assist the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with a license investigation when the human remains were discovered. Medical examiner teams are now working to identify the deceased and review records including death certificates, a process officials say could take several days.
State records show Clark Morgan owns the facility, the same individual who operated a Chicago Heights crematory shut down last year after authorities found more than 100 bodies improperly stored in trailers on the property. The pattern raises serious questions about regulatory oversight and how Morgan obtained licenses to operate another funeral facility after the previous incident.
Families Left Without Answers
Tarshia Logan arrived Thursday afternoon for her late husband’s scheduled viewing at South Chicago Chapel, only to find no body present and just one person on site who walked away when family members demanded answers. Logan’s husband’s funeral was scheduled for Friday, leaving her without information about his remains or who to contact for help. The discovery leaves dozens of families in similar situations, waiting to learn whether their loved ones are among those found and facing uncertainty about funeral arrangements already made.
Pattern of Neglect Raises Oversight Questions
The case highlights potential failures in Illinois funeral home regulation and licensing procedures. How Morgan obtained authorization to operate a new facility after more than 100 bodies were found improperly stored at his previous location remains unclear. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which oversees funeral home licensing, has not released information about what background checks or investigations were conducted before approving South Chicago Chapel’s operation. Authorities plan to work with multiple agencies to notify affected families as quickly as possible once identifications are complete. The investigation remains active as officials work to determine how many families have been impacted and what criminal charges may be appropriate.