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FRRS Press Release – Davis Mortuary
From:
Jennifer Stewart-Woodworth
Owner
Front Range Removal Service, LLC
Re: Davis Mortuary and Pueblo County Coroner
To Whom It May Concern,
It is with deep sympathy that Front Range Removal Service, LLC, issues this statement to clarify our role regarding the recent investigations involving Davis Mortuary and the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office. Our hearts go out to the families impacted by these events, and we extend our respect and support to the investigators working diligently to uncover the truth.
Business Practices
Front Range Removal Service, LLC, operated as a transportation-only provider for mortuaries and coroner’s offices throughout Colorado from 2014 to 2021. Our work consisted exclusively of transporting decedents from one storage location to another. At no time did we participate in storage, preparation, or final disposition. Once a decedent was transferred to a destination, the receiving facility’s staff assumed all further responsibilities.
During our tenure, we completed more than 100 transports within Colorado and one to Kansas. Our company’s policies always prioritized professionalism, respect, and compliance with all legal and ethical standards.
Pueblo County Coroner’s Office
Front Range Removal Service, LLC, completed dozens of transports for the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office, initially moving decedents between Pueblo and Douglas County. When the contract with Douglas County ended, transports were redirected to McKee Medical Center in Larimer County.
In February 2019, this contract ended abruptly And informally when Pueblo County began using an in-county autopsy physician on a part-time basis. After contacting the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office in March 2019 to confirm the termination of the agreement, no further work was conducted for the office.
Davis Mortuary
Front Range Removal Service, LLC, worked with many mortuaries across Colorado, including Davis Mortuary. At no time did our staff observe or suspect any improper practices. Typically, Brian Cotter personally met our team outside the mortuary, assisted with transferring the decedent from our equipment to his, and escorted us out of the building.
Our employees were rarely inside the building for more than a few minutes and had no access to storage or preparation areas. Company policy requires immediate notification of law enforcement if any irregularities are observed. No such circumstances ever occurred during our work with Davis Mortuary.
Final Statement
The tragedies in Lake County, Return to Nature, and Pueblo County/Davis Mortuary have been sobering reminders of the importance of strong oversight in mortuary science. We commend the Colorado General Assembly for strengthening regulations and support the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) in its continued efforts to ensure compliance and accountability.
To the friends and families of all decedents affected by these incidents, please accept our deepest condolences. Losing a loved one is profoundly difficult, and uncertainty only deepens that pain. Our thoughts are with you as you seek healing and resolution.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Stewart-Woodworth
Owner
Front Range Removal Service, LLC