Mummified Bodies Discovered At Former LA Funeral Home

LOS ANGELES, CA — The former owner of a Los Angeles funeral home is facing nearly two dozen charges following the grizzly discovery of 11 decaying and mummified bodies at his business, City Attorney Mike Feuer announced Friday.

Authorities discovered the remains, which included infants, after their next-of-kin of decedents complained about conditions at the now-closed mortuary, investigators said. Mark B. Allen, the owner of Mark B. Allen Mortuary and Cremation Services, Inc in Sun Valley, faces 22 misdemeanor charges, according to Feuer's office. The remains were discovered by the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, the L.A. County Coroner’s Office, and the LAPD, who opened an investigation into the Mark B. Allen Mortuary and Cremations Services, Inc. after receiving complaints from next-of-kin of decedents. The Mortuary is now closed.

“We’re fighting to get justice for these families in this incredibly sad and shocking situation,” said Feuer. “Eleven people died, including very young children, and the funeral director hired to compassionately prepare the bodies for burial allegedly just let them rot, with neither the decency nor the dignity that all our loved ones deserve. Their deaths are one tragedy, and this alleged monstrous mistreatment is a second tragedy.”

Officials went to the location on two occasions over the course of a year and found the remains of 11 people that they allege did not receive proper care.

"The odor from inside the facility was so great that officials could detect it outside the facility," Feuer said. "How would you feel if that was your loved one?"

Allen was charged for each body with violating two sections of the California Health and Safety Code. The misdemeanor charges could add up to serious fines or jail time, according to the city attorney.

For each of the 11 people's remains, there's a potential for a year in jail and $10,000 in fines. The maximum penalty for Allen would be up to $110,000 and up to 11 years in jail. Allen is scheduled to be arraigned June 22 in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.

"When a loved one passes away ... it's incredibly painful. Families are devastated when we lose a loved one. And we at the barest minimum expect the funeral home to which our loved one's remains have been sent to treat our family member with decency and dignity at this last moment," City Attorney Mike Feuer said.

City News Service contributed to this report.