DOUGLAS, Ga. — After 18 bodies were discovered decomposing during the eviction of a Coffee County funeral home, a scramble began to identify the dead and notify their families.
Nearly three weeks since the gruesome discovery, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations says they have made significant headway, identifying 12 of the 18 dead bodies found rotting away at Johnson Funeral Home.
Chris Johnson, a 39-year-old funeral director who had previously ran — and lost — the race for county coroner, was arrested and charged with 17 counts of abuse of a dead body, the press release said.
But the case against him could soon include charges related to potential "irregularities in insurance proceeds" as the GBI says they have joined forces with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to look into Johnson's insurance practices.
Six dead bodies remain unidentified, but the agency says they are working to put names to the victims.
Some of the families reported receiving remains for their loved ones who were later discovered decomposing at the funeral home, and the GBI is also investigating whether remains were sent to the correct people.
They say the investigation is on-going and they continue to follow leads related to the case.
If you have any additional information relevant to the investigation, the GBI asks you call 1. the Coffee County Sheriff's Office at 912-384-4227 2. the GBI Regional Investigative OFfice in Douglas at 912-389-4103 or 3. submit anonymous tips at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
Once the investigation is complete, the investigative file will go to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for prosecution.