Colorado CBI Charges Davis Mortuary Owners with 125 Counts of Abuse of a Corpse and Multiple Fraud Offenses

Description: The Colorado CBI and Pueblo DA charged Davis Mortuary owners with 125 counts of abuse of a corpse, forgery, theft, and fraud after a yearlong investigation. Read the Full Statement from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation...

Colorado Bureau of Investigation and 10th Judicial District Attorney’s Office Detail Charges for Davis Mortuary Owners

June 25, 2026 – CBI –  Pueblo, CO –The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the 10th Judicial District Attorney’s Office have announced multiple charges for Brian Lee Cotter, 64, and Christopher Aaron Cotter, 60, both of Pueblo, following a lengthy and complex investigation into the operations of Davis Mortuary.

Both individuals face the same criminal counts: 

• 125 counts of Abuse of a Corpse (Class 6 Felony: 24 Bodies, 83 Cremains, 16 Sets of Bones, 2 Containers of Human Tissue) 

• 9  counts of Forgery (Class 5 Felony)

• 9 counts of Theft (Class 5 Felony)

• 9 counts of Theft (Class 6 Felony)

• 7 counts of Theft (Class 1 Misdemeanor) 

• 2 counts of Theft (Class 2 Misdemeanor) 

The investigation into Davis Mortuary, led by the CBI with assistance from local law enforcement partners, began in August 2025 following a surprise inspection by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The inspection uncovered significant and deeply concerning irregularities at the facility located at 128 Broadway Avenue, including human remains stored in concealed, unauthorized areas.

Executing search warrants between August 22 and August 26, 2025, investigators recovered 24 human bodies and numerous skeletal remains stored in conditions that grossly violated professional and ethical standards. Furthermore, a substantial number of containers marked as cremated remains were found in disarray, with many lacking proper identification. Forensic anthropological analysis confirmed that many of these samples contained human skeletal material.

Of the 24 human bodies recovered, the CBI with assistance from the Pueblo County, El Paso County, Douglas County, Custer County and the Fremont County Coroner’s office, identified 19 bodies. In addition, two more identities have been made from human tissue discovered in containers at the mortuary site. 

“The evidence uncovered during this investigation reveals a complete disregard for the dignity of the deceased and the trust placed in Davis Mortuary by families in our community,” said CBI Director Armando Saldate. “We are committed to ensuring that those responsible for these actions are held accountable.” 

10th Judicial District Attorney Kala Beauvais added, “We are dedicated to providing as much clarity and closure as possible for the families whose loved ones were entrusted to this funeral home.”

In addition to the physical abuse of remains, the investigation identified evidence suggesting systemic financial and administrative misconduct. This includes the falsification of government documents, such as death certificates, and the misappropriation of funds from preneed funeral contracts.

Evidence indicated that Davis Mortuary failed to properly deposit required funds into trust accounts as mandated by Colorado law.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Reported: Brian Cotter, 65, and Christopher Carter, 60, were arrested on June 25, 2026 and booked into the Pueblo County Jail in connection with the investigation into the operations at Davis Mortuary.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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