In brief
Carie Hallford, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, is seeking leniency in her sentencing set for Monday. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Jon Hallford, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for their fraudulent activities, including providing fake ashes to families.
DENVER — Carie Hallford, the former owner of a Colorado funeral home accused of hiding nearly 200 decomposing bodies, is asking for a lenient sentence of eight years in prison. Facing up to 20 years, Hallford claims she was manipulated by her ex-husband as they ran a business that defrauded grieving families out of over $130,000, often providing them with urns filled with concrete instead of ashes. Following a guilty plea on conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Hallford is expressing remorse, saying she was a 'scared and desperate mother' compelled to act under duress. Federal prosecutors, however, are pushing for a stricter sentence of 15 years due to her exploitation of grieving families and ventures into lavish spending with pandemic aid money, including purchases from high-end retailers. Hallford's ex-husband has already received a combined sentence of 60 years for his part in the horrific mismanagement of human remains. As the sentencing approaches, families affected by their actions are grappling with trauma and a sense of betrayal, while Hallford's defense maintains her actions stem from long-standing emotional abuse.
