MOUNT VERNON, New York (WABC) — 13 decomposing bodies and 17 boxes of cremated remains were allegedly found in a disturbing discovery inside an unlicensed funeral home in Westchester County.
The state shut down the business and pulled the funeral home director’s license.
Authorities say the operator of the Camelot Funeral Home in Mount Vernon continued to hold funeral services for months after.
More than two months later, the grieving process has begun for Aloma Washington.
Her 74-year-old mother, Estella Washington, died on November 25 and her memorial services were held at Camelot Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.
Washington was supposed to be cremated a few days later, but the family was never given the remains.
“He said, I know you’re taking this hard, so if you’re not ready to bring her home yet, I understand. He said Mom will be safe here with me,” Aloma Washington said.
Owner Michael Neughton was charged with operating the funeral home without a license.
The State Health Department said an inspection last week revealed deplorable conditions, including 13 decomposing bodies in various rooms, two were stacked on top of each other in the garage and 17 boxes of cremated remains were found in the basement.
What investigators did not locate was a single death certificate for any individual, including Estella Washington, whose body was among those inside.
“Someone was going to go pick my mom like a month or so ago, right? So what if we would have went to pick her up. What was he going to tell us or what was he going to give us?” Washington said.
Naughton’s license was revoked in 2019.
Camelot Funeral Home was shut down in 2021, reopened and then closed again last May.
The Attorney General’s Office says the facility conducted over 20 funerals since August.
Aloma Washington says there was never any indication that something was wrong.
“He never let on that there was anything going on. My mom died in November, he lost his license in May. So just think about like what was in the bottom of that basement or whatever? And all the way in November, you’re still taking bodies and you shouldn’t be,” Washington said.
Naughton is due back in court later this month. In the meantime, any impacted family that hasn’t been in touch with law enforcement has been asked to contact the Attorney General’s Office.
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