Incident at Richardson Mortuary
A disturbing incident unfolded at Richardson Mortuary in southwest Houston, where multiple deceased bodies were found in poor condition due to air conditioning issues. The Houston Police Department was called to the scene after a stabbing was reported, which allegedly occurred when a family member discovered the unacceptable conditions and confronted a funeral home employee.
Discovery of the Incident
The incident began when several family members arrived at the mortuary and found that the facility had no functioning air conditioning, reportedly due to ongoing construction. A relative of one of the deceased claimed that bodies were scattered throughout the mortuary, some inside caskets and others outside of them. The relative recorded video footage of the mortuary’s interior, which showed disturbing scenes, including bodies in advanced states of decomposition.
Stabbing Incident
The stabbing occurred when the relative uploaded the video to social media, and the funeral home employee got into a scuffle with the man, eventually pulling out a knife. The victim drove himself to a hospital and was treated for minor injuries before being released. By the time the police arrived, there were a total of 10 bodies on the ground.
Reaction from Families
Families of the deceased were shocked and heartbroken by the discovery. One woman, Murita Brown, rushed to the funeral home after seeing her grandmother’s body on the video posted on social media. She described her grandmother as a loving person who would give you the clothes off her back, and it was heartbreaking to see her in such a state.
Investigation and Response
The Harris County Precinct 7 constable spoke with the funeral home owner, who reported that several vans had been called to transport the bodies to a properly air-conditioned facility. The owner claimed to have had a heart attack and was in the hospital as families continued to look for answers. The bodies were taken to Bobby Swearington’s funeral home in Fort Bend County, where the CEO said he was helping some of the families with their services.
Current Status
It is currently unclear whether all families with loved ones at the mortuary have been notified. Regulatory investigators are not scheduled to visit the Richardson mortuary until April 14. Families with loved ones at Richardson mortuary who are looking for answers have been advised to call 713-396-2966.
Details from the Video
The video recorded by the family member showed disturbing scenes, including several bodies placed in non-refrigerated rooms, debris scattered on the ground, closed caskets, cardboard boxes, and plastic jugs filled with unknown liquids. The footage also showed a makeshift plastic divider separating the room containing bodies from another room with only caskets.
Conclusion
The incident at Richardson Mortuary is a shocking and disturbing example of the importance of proper care and respect for the deceased and their families. The investigation is ongoing, and families are still seeking answers and justice. The incident highlights the need for greater oversight and regulation of funeral homes to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
