Authorities in Chicago discovered more than four dozen bodies in various stages of decomposition in the basement and attached garage of the South Chicago Chapel funeral home on Thursday. The discovery followed a tip received by city officials concerning a foul odor emanating from the establishment.
According to reports, police were accompanied by city Department of Buildings officials when they inspected the funeral home after receiving the tip. A squad car was observed parked outside the funeral home, and officers had cordoned off the area by Thursday evening.
Neighbors had reportedly complained about a foul odor, described as akin to a dead animal, in the vicinity for nearly two months. Some residents found the smell so potent that it made it difficult to spend time outdoors. Despite these complaints, some neighbors expressed surprise, stating they had not suspected anything was amiss at the funeral home, which had reportedly opened a few years prior.
One resident noted seeing workers from the funeral home adding new white gravel to the exterior a couple of weeks before the discovery, but otherwise indicated they would not have chosen the establishment for funeral services.