Police investigating suspicious circumstances at Pocatello funeral home
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - UPDATE: Detectives have completed the search warrant that was issued Friday at Downard Funeral Home and Crematory.
During their search, detectives found bodies in varying states of decomposition as well as fetuses.
At this time, no charges have been filed and the investigation is still active. Moving forward, detectives will be processing evidence, reviewing documents, and contacting individuals who may have information about the case.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Pocatello Police Department at 208-234-6100.
If family members have questions or concerns, please appoint one point of contact to call the Pocatello Police Department at 208-234-6100 and leave a name and phone number. Officers will return their call when more information is available.
Again, we thank the families of the deceased for their patience while officers work to complete the investigation.
Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei released the following statement.
"We know there are a lot of unanswered questions about the case. Our department has those same questions. I want to assure the families involved and the public that the men and women of the Pocatello Police Department will be working hard to provide the answers."
UPDATE 5:45 p.m. Pocatello Police Department officers and staff from assisting agencies are continuing their investigation at Downard Funeral Home and Crematory.
Some of the bodies have been positively identified and are now in the custody of local funeral homes. Staff from the funeral homes will attempt to contact the next of kin.
Bodies that have not been identified have been removed from the building and are now in the custody of the Bannock County Coroner. Officers will continue attempting to identify the remaining deceased. At this time, officers are still working to determine the total number of deceased in the building.
"We understand the concerns and frustrations of the families of the deceased during this time and thank them for their patience while officers work to complete the investigation."
If family members have questions or concerns, appoint one point of contact to call the Pocatello Police Department at 208-234-6100 and leave a name and phone number. Officers will return their call when more information is available.
UPDATE 11:05 a.m. Officers have obtained a search warrant and are in the process of searching the property.
UPDATE: The Pocatello Police Department is currently investigating suspicious circumstances at Downard Funeral Home and Crematory.
If family members have questions or concerns, please appoint one point of contact to call the Pocatello Police Department at 208-234-6100 and leave a name and phone number. Officers will return their call when more information is available.
Officers ask the public to avoid the area out of respect for family members.
Officers are working with the Idaho Board of Occupational Licenses, Bannock County Coroner, Ada County Coroner, Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office and Southeastern Idaho Public Health in furtherance of the investigation.
Because this is an active investigation, the Pocatello Police Department will not have any further comment at this time.
ORIGINAL: Pocatello Police are investigating a long-time funeral home for what they called suspicious circumstances.
Downard Funeral Home across the street from Pocatello High School on Garfield Ave. is blocked off by police tape.
There is a note on the door saying they are currently closed.
Police are guarding both the front and back of the building while waiting for a search warrant.
That warrant is expected to be obtained this morning.
This is a developing story and we will get you more information as soon as it's available.
