A total of 24 decomposing bodies and multiple containers of bones and probable human tissue have been removed from Davis Mortuary as the Colorado Bureau of Investigation continues its criminal probe into Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter and his brother, Chris Cotter, who co-own Davis Mortuary at 128 Broadway Ave.
In addition to the decomposing bodies, which were first uncovered in a concealed room of the mortuary by state inspectors with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) on Aug. 20, “multiple containers of bones and several containers of probable human tissue representing an unknown number of deceased individuals were removed and respectfully transferred to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office for attempted identification,” according to a CBI news release.
Members of the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Emergency Services Bureau set up trailers and lighting at the Davis Mortuary on Friday, August 22, 2025.
CBI agents executed search warrants Aug. 26 at the homes of Brian and Chris Cotter, but have not questioned either suspect, “as both men have retained legal counsel,” according to the release.
“No arrests have been made at this time. Neither man is considered a flight risk. The investigation is ongoing and will continue to determine what charges are appropriate,” CBI officials said in the release.
In an Aug. 25 news release, CBI officials said the identification process is expected to take months “due to the condition of the remains and the unverified record keeping at Davis Mortuary.”
“To identify the deceased, investigators will use dental x-rays, fingerprints, and DNA samples. Given the state of the remains, which investigators believe could be at least 15 years old in some cases, a DNA comparison with samples voluntarily submitted by family members will be a key part of the process,” CBI officials stated in the release.
The preliminary processing of the Davis Mortuary building has been completed, according to CBI, and the building remains locked and secured as of Aug. 26, with access restricted to law enforcement.
To address common questions from the public and media, the CBI has created a Frequently Asked Questions section on its website, which will be regularly updated as new information becomes available.
The CBI has also established a dedicated victim assistance line at 719-257-3359 and an email at CBITips@state.co.us for families who may have used Davis Mortuary’s services CBI is also encouraging families to fill out a questionnaire to assist with the investigative process.
As of noon on Aug. 26, CBI had received 843 tips and 336 people have filled out the victim information questionnaire, according to the release.
How the criminal investigation into Davis Mortuary began
The criminal investigation began on Aug. 20 after DORA inspectors allegedly found several bodies in various stages of decomposition in a concealed room of Davis Mortuary.
Cotter, a three-term Republican county coroner, allegedly told the inspectors that some of the bodies had been in the hidden room as long as 15 years, and that families of decedents may have been given fake cremains.
Despite calls for his resignation from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and nearly every elected official in the city and county, Cotter remained Pueblo County’s coroner as of Aug. 26.
A summary suspension for Davis Mortuary issued by DORA’s Office of Funeral and Mortuary Science Services on Aug. 21 stated the mortuary “engaged in willfully dishonest conduct and/or committed negligence in the practice of embalming, funeral directing, or providing for final disposition that defrauds or causes injury or is likely to defraud or cause injury.”
“Davis Mortuary failed to embalm, refrigerate, cremate, bury, or entomb human remains within twenty-four hours after taking custody of the remains,” the suspension order stated. “Davis Mortuary took custody of more human remains than the funeral establishment has the capacity to refrigerate and maintained custody of human remains for more than twenty-four hours.”
Past coverage of Davis Mortuary probe: CBI: More than 20 bodies removed from Pueblo coroner’s mortuary, but IDs could take months
Chieftain Editor Zach Hillstrom can be reached at zhillstrom@gannett.com or on X, at @ZachHillstrom. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: CBI: 24 bodies, boxes of bones and tissue removed from Davis Mortuary