Indiana Funeral Director Pleads Guilty to Theft and Decomposing Bodies

The owner of Lankford Funeral Home in Indiana, where 31 decomposing bodies and the cremains of 17 others were found, pleaded guilty to over 40 counts of felony theft and faces a proposed sentence of 12 years, including four years in prison and eight years of home incarceration. He was charged with theft for failing to complete the funeral services he was paid for and must pay restitution to 53 families totaling $46,000. The unrefrigerated bodies were found in various states of decomposition, and some had been at the funeral home since March. A formal sentencing hearing is planned for June 23.