Victims in Back to Nature case react to plea deal in federal case

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Jon and Carrie Hallford, owners of the Back to Nature Funeral Home, where approximately 200 bodies were found improperly stored, changed their demands as follows: He pleaded guilty Thursday in his federal cases.

The two were facing charges including wire fraud, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They allegedly mistransferred nearly $900,000 in pandemic relief funds. The Hallfords allegedly used the money to buy things like a $92,000 SUV and take lavish vacations. The 11 victims the news spoke to say they want this process to end as soon as possible and justice to be served.

“It’s just added to the icing on the cake. How could they get rid of these things?” Agelika Stedman, who used Back to Nature for her daughter, said:

After multiple court appearances on federal charges, Jon and Carrie Hallford pleaded guilty. The two were facing 15 federal charges.

“This is taking up a year of my life right now, and I want to start moving forward,” said Mary Simons, who used Back to Nature for her husband.

Each pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. But this isn’t the end of the legal road for the Hallfords. There are still state cases, and each faces more than 200 charges, including corpse abuse and forgery.

“You know it’s been really hard and I’m worn out,” Simons said.

The judge in the federal case said the two could be sentenced to prison within a few months. But those closest to the case who attended the hearings in Hallford say they are tired.

“I want answers, I want to know what they did to the bodies there,” Stedman said.

Hallford’s next court appearance, a plea hearing on the state charges, is scheduled for Nov. 8.