Authorities stumbled upon nearly 20 decomposing bodies, including animals, while serving an eviction notice at a Georgia funeral home.
Agents arrested and charged Chris Johnson, 39, of Douglas, Georgia, with 17 counts of abuse of a dead body, Sunday, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Eighteen bodies, a dog, and a cat, were discovered in various states of decomposition inside the funeral parlor.
"The Coffee County Sheriff's Office acknowledges the distressing nature of this investigation and the anxiety it has caused within the community, particularly among those who may have connections to the deceased," it said in a statement Monday, adding that more charges against Johnson are anticipated.
"It's obviously a terrible case," Gabe Sterling with the Georgia Secretary of State's Office agreed, according to WANF-TV. "His license lapsed for a period of time this year and then he reinstated his funeral director's license and his embalmer's license. The facility license was still not renewed."
Douglas resident Sherri Thomas said she was still waiting on her mother's death certificate.
"I have called probably over 50-60 times, and he [Johnson] has not once returned my phone call. And I just wonder with all these bodies, is that even my mama's body in this urn?" Thomas told WALB-TV.
It's unclear if Johnson entered a plea.
