Overview
- Prosecutors dismissed all three abuse-of-a-corpse charges against co-owner Michael Richardson on May 28, 2026, and the same counts were dropped earlier against co-owner Gayle Bell.
- The Harris County filings say prosecutors cannot prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt now, and the dismissals were entered without prejudice so charges can be refiled later.
- State inspectors who visited Richardson Mortuary in April 2025 found bodies in what they called disturbing conditions, ordered the business closed and cited building, health and safety and professional-conduct violations.
- Police and reporters documented at least 10 bodies visible at the site and roughly 70 cremation containers stored in poor conditions, and several remains were moved to other funeral homes so families could hold services.
- Families and officials say the episode exposed oversight gaps at funeral providers, left grieving relatives scrambling to recover remains, and keeps regulatory and criminal investigations open as possible next steps.