The El Paso County Coroner’s Office confirmed its involvement as officials continue to work the scene of the Return to Nature Funeral Home, where at least 115 bodies were discovered improperly stored Oct. 4, according to Tuesday morning news release.

El Paso County Coroner Dr. Leon Kelly released a statement confirming remains from the scene in Penrose were transferred to the Colorado Springs office. 

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“Over the next few weeks, our office will be receiving and examining the remains with the goal of identifying the individuals and releasing them to their families as efficiently and expeditiously as possible,” Kelly said, adding that the office is one of many Colorado counties assisting on the scene, including Fremont County. 

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According to reports by Gazette news partner KKTV, large refrigerated trucks were seen parked at the El Paso County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday morning that contained remains tied to the massive investigation in Penrose. 

Additionally, Douglas County Coroner Keenan Heyde confirmed his office’s involvement with the investigation early Tuesday afternoon, saying that the office plans to work closely with the Fremont County Coroner’s Office to assist in identifying descendants discovered inside the funeral home’s Penrose location.

“Our commitment is to handle this delicate situation with the utmost dignity and respect, ensuring that each individual is treated with the care and compassion they deserve,” Heyde said in Tuesday’s written statement.

Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller said the extrication process will be “lengthy,” with the surrounding investigation expected to last “several months.” 

“Unfortunately, the large number and condition of those remains will make this challenging and this process will take some time,” Kelly added, saying that through operating under mass fatality protocols, the office’s involvement in the Penrose case should cause no disruption to normal services provided by the Coroner’s Office.

Vigil planned

The Penrose Park & Rec department is hosting a candlelight vigil to show support for the families affected by the discovery of the bodies.

The vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday Oct. 14, at the Penrose Park and Recreation District, 401 Park Place, in Penrose.

The vigil, for the people of Penrose and surrounding communities “to give people a chance to come together in support of the families affected by the funeral home tragedy,” according to the department’s Facebook post.

If any individuals, or groups, would like to help with this event, they are invited to message the park via Facebook.

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