Authorities in Houston have taken action against a funeral home in the southwest area, ordering it to stop all activities following the discovery of at least 10 bodies in disturbing conditions.
The Richardson Mortuary was inspected by the Texas Funeral Service Commission last Friday, revealing bodies that were not properly cared for, left exposed, and lacked adequate air conditioning. The inspection uncovered numerous violations of building, health, and safety regulations.
In the cease-and-desist letter, the commission also cited the owners’ fraudulent, unprofessional and deceptive conduct.
Law enforcement responded to a call at the mortuary on Friday morning, prompted by an incident where a staff member reportedly attacked a customer who was filming the disrespectful treatment of the deceased. The footage showed bodies either uncovered on tables or improperly stored in plastic wrap and caskets, prompting further scrutiny of the facility.
SEE ORIGINAL REPORT: Man stabbed after posting video of bodies found exposed at mortuary, HPD says
Police say the man filmed all the bodies there, which infuriated a worker, who then stabbed him. The district attorney declined to press charges for the stabbing.
In the letter on Monday, the state of Texas listed the following steps the facility must take to reopen:
Within 14 days of receiving this notice, the commission expects the following:
1. Your establishment must comply with TEX. OCC. CODE 651.351;
2. Your establishment must pass an inspection by the Commission;
3. Your establishment must provide a list of all names of licensed embalmers and funeral directors, past and present, that were/are employed at Richardson Mortuary from April 2024 to April 2025;
4. Your establishment must submit a copy of all documented evidence for all decedents that your establishment provided services for to include, but not limited to, embalming, cremation and funeral services from April 2024 to April 2025; and
5. Your establishment must provide a list of names for all decedents and their next of kin and the name of the transport company(ies) and establishment(s) used to remove and store remains from April 11-14, 2025.
Meanwhile, Tamara and Davon McGruder, the siblings who originally went to the funeral home because they’d grown suspicious about where it was being stored, are still reeling from that day. An unidentified funeral home worker eventually confronted the siblings and ordered them to leave. When they refused, the worker allegedly stabbed Davon McGruder in the stomach.
ABC Houston affiliate KTRK confirmed that Davon McGruder remains in the hospital, and that the injury was more serious than first thought. Tamara McGruder spoke on the phone to KTRK from the hospital, and said her brother is still recovering.
HPD is still actively investigating the stabbing case for possible charges. It is also looking into charges of possible tampering with a corpse for the conduct of funeral home workers and its owner.
KTRK drove by the facility on Monday, and the parking lot was blocked off. There was also no activity at the funeral home. Calls and a door knock at the listed address for Mike Richardson, the owner of the funeral home, were unanswered. Friends say he is in the process of obtaining a lawyer.
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