HOUSTON – Charges have been dropped against the owner of a Houston funeral home that became the focus of a state investigation after families reported finding decomposing bodies inside the facility.
Court records show prosecutors dismissed all three abuse of a corpse charges against Michael Richardson, co-owner of Richardson Mortuary in southwest Houston.
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According to filings from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors determined they “cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt at this time,” though the records note the charges are “subject to refile.”
The dismissal comes weeks after charges were also dropped against the funeral home’s other co-owner, Gayle Bell. Prosecutors similarly stated at the time they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, while leaving open the possibility of refiling charges in the future.
Richardson’s attorney, Rick DeToto, said his client was hospitalized during the time the alleged incidents occurred and was not overseeing the business’s daily operations.
“Mr. Richardson was in the hospital suffering from an extremely serious medical condition during the time of these allegations,” DeToto said. “He was not in the day to day control of the funeral home. He is very thankful for the dismissal of these cases.”
The criminal case stems from an investigation launched last year after grieving families arrived at Richardson Mortuary on Brookfield Drive and reported seeing their loved ones’ remains in what they described as deplorable conditions.
Several families told KPRC 2 News they found bodies stored in non-refrigerated rooms, some partially covered, while construction debris was scattered throughout the building. One woman said she discovered her mother’s body with gnats already present.
“I raised the casket up and I looked in it and it was my mom. Had gnats already on her, she was sweating,” Tamara McGruber Crooks previously told KPRC 2 News.
Disturbing video shared with KPRC 2 News appeared to show multiple bodies inside the mortuary. Houston police later confirmed officers observed at least 10 bodies visible when they responded to the funeral home.
The situation escalated during a confrontation at the facility when a man recording video was stabbed by a funeral home employee. Police said the victim suffered minor injuries and drove himself to a hospital for treatment.
Following complaints from families, the Texas Funeral Service Commission launched an investigation into the funeral home’s operations. State inspectors later confirmed they found bodies in “disturbing conditions” inside the building.
The agency suspended the mortuary’s license and issued a cease-and-desist order, citing alleged violations of health, safety, and building codes, as well as accusations of unprofessional and deceptive conduct.
Houston police also opened an investigation into whether the remains were improperly stored or mishandled.
After the funeral home was shut down, several bodies were transferred to another funeral home so families could continue funeral services for their loved ones.
Court records indicate the charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could potentially refile them at a later date.