18 Decomposed Bodies Found At GA Funeral Home; Owner Arrested

DOUGLAS, GA — Authorities say a 39-year-old Georgia man was arrested Saturday after Coffee County deputies found 18 decomposed bodies at a funeral home.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Sunday said the deputies were serving an eviction notice at Johnson Funeral Home in Douglas when they found the bodies in various decomposition stages.

Authorities did not further elaborate but said the funeral home's owner, Chris Johnson, was arrested in connection with the discovery. Johnson was charged on suspicion of 17 counts of abuse of dead body, authorities said.

The investigation remains active, the GBI said.

Authorities asked anyone with information to call the Coffee County Sheriff's Office at (912) 384-4227 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103.

Anonymous tipsters can call 1 (800) 597-8477, submit tips online via the GBI or use the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.