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Davis Mortuary investigation: Polis asks for coroner’s resignation, declares disaster emergency

By 08/22/2025 | updated 9 months ago
Members of the Colorado State Highway Patrol hazmat team suit up before going into the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado, on Thursday, August. 21, 2025. Approximately 20 decomposing bodies were found hidden inside the funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter during an annual inspection.

PUEBLO – Gov. Jared Polis on Friday called on Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter to resign immediately amid a multi-agency criminal investigation that’s underway after state inspectors found “around 20” decomposing bodies hidden inside a private funeral home owned by Cotter during an annual inspection. 

Polis also declared a disaster emergency to mobilize state resources to respond to the incident, and protect public health and safety, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The declaration also encourages Pueblo County to seek, and other counties to provide, support for the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office operations and the ongoing mitigation and investigation of Davis Mortuary.

“I’m sickened for the families of the loved ones who are impacted by this unacceptable misconduct,” Polis stated in the news release. “It is clear public trust has been lost and Mr. Cotter must resign as the Pueblo County Coroner immediately.

“He should be investigated and if warranted, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No one should ever have to wonder if their loved one is being taken care of with dignity and respect after they’ve passed, and Mr. Cotter must be held to account for his actions.”

Criminal investigation begins after ‘around 20’ decomposing bodies found in funeral home owned by Pueblo County coroner

Davis Mortuary, 128 Broadway Ave. in Pueblo, is under summary suspension after inspectors entered the business and noticed a “strong odor of decomposition” and a door hidden by a cardboard display during a mandatory annual inspection Wednesday, according to a statement from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

Officials say the inspectors saw “around 20 or so” bodies in various stages of decomposition. Brian Cotter, 64, who co-owns the mortuary with his brother, Chris, allegedly told inspectors that the bodies were awaiting cremation and that some of them had been in the room for about 15 years.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation scheduled a news conference for updates at 1 p.m. Friday.

DORA Division of Professions and Occupations Director Sam Delp said the official number of bodies has yet to be determined. According to Delp, state inspectors could see the bodies from the doorway, but did not step inside the room Wednesday. Law enforcement officials were notified immediately. A search warrant of the property was executed Thursday. 

In addition to the discovered bodies, Cotter allegedly admitted to investigators that he “may” have issued next-of-kin fake cremains, according to the state agency.

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Davis Mortuary investigation: Polis asks for coroner’s resignation, declares disaster emergency

By 08/22/2025 | updated 9 months ago
Members of the Colorado State Highway Patrol hazmat team get ready to enter the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado, on Thursday, August. 21, 2025. Approximately 20 decomposing bodies were found hidden inside the funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter during an annual inspection. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

PUEBLO – Gov. Jared Polis on Friday called on Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter to resign immediately amid a multi-agency criminal investigation that’s underway after state inspectors found “around 20” decomposing bodies hidden inside a private funeral home owned by Cotter during an annual inspection.

Polis also declared a disaster emergency to mobilize state resources to respond to the incident, and protect public health and safety, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The declaration also encourages Pueblo County to seek, and other counties to provide, support for the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office operations and the ongoing mitigation and investigation of Davis Mortuary.

“I’m sickened for the families of the loved ones who are impacted by this unacceptable misconduct,” Polis stated in the news release. “It is clear public trust has been lost and Mr. Cotter must resign as the Pueblo County Coroner immediately.

“He should be investigated and if warranted, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No one should ever have to wonder if their loved one is being taken care of with dignity and respect after they’ve passed, and Mr. Cotter must be held to account for his actions.”

Criminal investigation begins after ‘around 20’ decomposing bodies found in funeral home owned by Pueblo County coroner

Davis Mortuary, 128 Broadway Ave. in Pueblo, is under summary suspension after inspectors entered the business and noticed a “strong odor of decomposition” and a door hidden by a cardboard display during a mandatory annual inspection Wednesday, according to a statement from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

Members of the Colorado State Highway Patrol hazmat team get ready to enter the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado, on Thursday, August. 21, 2025. Approximately 20 decomposing bodies were found hidden inside the funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter during an annual inspection. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Members of the Colorado State Highway Patrol hazmat team get ready to enter the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado, on Thursday, August. 21, 2025. Approximately 20 decomposing bodies were found hidden inside the funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter during an annual inspection. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

Officials say the inspectors saw “around 20 or so” bodies in various stages of decomposition. Brian Cotter, 64, who co-owns the mortuary with his brother, Chris, allegedly told inspectors that the bodies were awaiting cremation and that some of them had been in the room for about 15 years.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation scheduled a news conference for updates at 1 p.m. Friday.

When Patty Emerson heard the news of the bodies found at the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, she came to the mortuary because of concern for the remains of her husband, Mel Emerson, who died in 2011. She used the Davis Mortuary services. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
When Patty Emerson heard the news of the bodies found at the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, she came to the mortuary because of concern for the remains of her husband, Mel Emerson, who died in 2011. She used the Davis Mortuary services. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

DORA Division of Professions and Occupations Director Sam Delp said the official number of bodies has yet to be determined. According to Delp, state inspectors could see the bodies from the doorway, but did not step inside the room Wednesday. Law enforcement officials were notified immediately. A search warrant of the property was executed Thursday.

In addition to the discovered bodies, Cotter allegedly admitted to investigators that he “may” have issued next-of-kin fake cremains, according to the state agency.

Read more at gazette.com.

Brian Cotter, 64, and his privately-owned funeral home are under investigation after state inspectors found several bodies inside a hidden room at the mortuary. (Courtesy of Pueblo County Coroner website)
Brian Cotter, 64, and his privately-owned funeral home are under investigation after state inspectors found several bodies inside a hidden room at the mortuary. (Courtesy of Pueblo County Coroner website)
Members of the Colorado State Highway Patrol hazmat team suit up before going into the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado, on Thursday, August. 21, 2025. Approximately 20 decomposing bodies were found hidden inside the funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter during an annual inspection. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Members of the Colorado State Highway Patrol hazmat team suit up before going into the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colorado, on Thursday, August. 21, 2025. Approximately 20 decomposing bodies were found hidden inside the funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter during an annual inspection. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Armando Saldate, Director of the CBI, talks at a press conference on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, at the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office after approximately 20 decomposing bodies were found in a private funeral home in Pueblo. State inspectors found “around 20” decomposing bodies hidden inside the funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter during an annual inspection. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Armando Saldate, Director of the CBI, talks at a press conference on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, at the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office after approximately 20 decomposing bodies were found in a private funeral home in Pueblo. State inspectors found “around 20” decomposing bodies hidden inside Davis Mortuary, the funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter during an annual inspection. (Jerilee Bennett,The Gazette)
A Pueblo Police Officer sits in front of the Davis Mortuary on Aug. 21, 205. The presence of numerous bodies have been discovered at the mortuary, possibly some going back 15 years. (The Gazette file)
A Pueblo Police Officer sits in front of the Davis Mortuary on Aug. 21, 205. The presence of numerous bodies have been discovered at the mortuary, possibly some going back 15 years. (The Gazette file)
A Pueblo Police Officer sits in front of the Davis Mortuary on Aug. 21, 205. The presence of numerous bodies have been discovered at the mortuary, possibly some going back 15 years.
A Pueblo Police Officer sits in front of the Davis Mortuary on Aug. 21, 205. The presence of numerous bodies have been discovered at the mortuary, possibly some going back 15 years.
When Patty Emerson heard the news of the bodies found at the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, she came to the mortuary because of concern for the remains of her husband, Mel Emerson, who died in 2011. She used the Davis Mortuary services. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.
When Patty Emerson heard the news of the bodies found at the Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, she came to the mortuary because of concern for the remains of her husband, Mel Emerson, who died in 2011. She used the Davis Mortuary services. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.
A hazmat team is on scene at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, to clear out a hidden room where several decomposed bodies were found inside the funeral home. The mortuary is owned by Brian Cotter, the Pueblo counter coroner. (Grace Brajkovich, The Gazette)
A hazmat team is on scene at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, to clear out a hidden room where several decomposed bodies were found inside the funeral home. The mortuary is owned by Brian Cotter, the Pueblo counter coroner. (Grace Brajkovich, The Gazette)
Picture of Davis Mortuary, a private funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter. Cotter is being accused of hiding several bodies in various stages of decomposition inside a hidden room at the home. (Courtesy of KOAA)
Picture of Davis Mortuary, a private funeral home owned by Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter. Cotter is being accused of hiding several bodies in various stages of decomposition inside a hidden room at the home. (Courtesy of KOAA)
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