12 of 18 decomposing bodies found at Douglas funeral home identified

DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced on Friday, November 15, that 12 of the 18 decomposing bodies found at a funeral home in Douglas have been identified.

According to a news release, the GBI and the Coffee County Coroner’s Office have notified families of the identified remains and provided them with the necessary information so they can finalize arrangements for their loved ones.

The identities will not be released at this time to protect the families’ privacy, the GBI said.

The GBI is still working to identify the other six bodies found.

“The GBI Crime Lab is evaluating the cremains transferred to determine if they are human remains. The GBI continues its work in attempting to verify the cremation information and whether the cremains were sent to the correct families, as well as other investigative leads,” the release said.

The GBI is assisted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to investigate irregularities in insurance proceeds.

The GBI is investigating and additional charges are expected.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 384-4227 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-onlineor by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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