safety
Brothers accused of mishandling dozens of decomposing bodies at Colorado funeral home
By Stephanie Weaver at FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
Former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Lee Cotter and his brother, Christopher Aaron Cotter, were arrested in Colorado and face 125 counts of abuse of a corpse, with a judge setting their bond at $1 million.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The shocking allegations against the Cotter brothers in Colorado raise concerns about the regulation and oversight of funeral homes in Fulton County. While the incident occurred outside of Georgia, it prompts questions about the local measures in place to prevent similar mishandling of bodies. In Atlanta , the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office and local funeral homes are expected to adhere to strict protocols when handling the deceased. The Cotter brothers' case highlights the need for regular inspections and monitoring of funeral homes to ensure compliance with state and local regulations. As the community awaits the outcome of the Cotter brothers' case, Atlanta residents may want to inquire about the inspection schedules and complaint procedures for local funeral homes, to reassure themselves that such a disturbing incident could not occur in their own city. This incident may also lead to a review of Georgia's laws and regulations regarding the handling of deceased individuals.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Lee Cotter and his brother, Christopher Aaron Cotter, were arrested in Colorado and face 125 counts of abuse of a corpse, with a judge setting their bond at $1 million.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephanie Weaver at FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter