Johnstown Police say the owner of Ehle-Barnett Funeral Home in Johnstown was improperly storing human remains. Police also say the funeral home, owned by Brian Barnett, isn’t licensed.
Last Monday, police were contacted by a family who was trying to reach Barnett about a contracted cremation. Officers executed a search warrant after learning about Barnett’s suspended license and he told them he was still in possession of a body that was supposed to be cremated.
The remains of at least two other people were found. They were in advanced stages of decomposition, said police. Police say more than a dozen containers of cremated remains were found, some with identification and others without.
The New York State Police Forensic Investigation Unit is working with the Fulton County Corner’s Office to identify the remains and reach out the families of those recovered.
Police have relocated all the remains found at the facility to a licensed funeral home. Several cremated remains were also found, some without visible identification tags.
Those looking to claim their loved ones can reach out to the Johnstown police directly. Charges against Barnett are pending, police said.
Spectrum News 1 could not reach Barnett for comment.
