HOUSTON, TX – A Texas funeral home is under investigation following a viral video that captured alarming conditions inside, prompting public scrutiny and a law enforcement probe. The video, posted on social media by a family member of a decedent, revealed bodies in various states of neglect at Richardson Mortuary in Houston. The footage quickly sparked widespread attention.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has launched an inquiry into the funeral home’s operations. Concern arose when several families rushed to the scene after recognizing their relatives in the distressing footage. The grisly conditions depicted reportedly included bodies in caskets, bags, and boxes, all within an air-conditioning-free environment swarming with gnats.
A startling twist to this unfolding situation involved a confrontation between an employee and the person filming the video, which reportedly escalated to a stabbing. Authorities described the injury as a minor wound to the victim’s stomach, noting the employee seemed to be acting in self-defense. The identities of those involved in the incident have not been disclosed, but an investigation continues.
Tamara McGruder, whose brother filmed the now-viral footage, shared her disbelief over the mortuary’s state. She described stumbling upon her mother’s casket, noticing it was targeted by insects. McGruder and her brother had visited Richardson Mortuary to inquire about their mother and uncle’s remains.
Murita Brown recognized a familiar dress in the video, a poignant reminder of her grandmother, who should have been cremated weeks ago. Astounded by the sight, Brown expressed her dismay over the delay and lack of communication, as her family had been waiting for her grandmother’s ashes since March.
Another family, led by Demtrious Riley-Sylvester, reported being misled about a relative’s cremation status. Believing her brother’s remains had been handled, the grim revelation in the video shattered that assurance, leaving her feeling deceived and bereaved.
Harris County Precinct 7 Constable Smokie Phillips, who has ties to the business owner, revealed that the owner is currently hospitalized due to a heart attack. He acknowledged that arrangements had been made to reallocate bodies to other establishments while investigations proceed.
Richardson Mortuary’s track record raises additional concerns, having amassed 14 complaints over the past decade. The outcry underscores the need for stringent oversight in how deceased loved ones are respectfully and promptly handled.