Maryland crematory suspended after bodies found piling up, decomposing, state board says
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. () — Maryland state officials suspended a crematory from operating in Charles County after inspectors found the facility was allowing bodies to accumulate and leaving dried blood on the floors for years, among a slew of other violations.
The Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors ordered Rosa Williams and Brandon Williams, who own and operate Heaven Bound Cremation Services, LLC in White Plains, to immediately surrender their crematory permit on Jan. 17.
During an inspection of the facility on Jan. 10, investigators found that the cremation chamber itself was not operational and that bodies were 'accumulating rather than being cremated in a timely manner,' as described in the board's Order for Summary Suspension.
Deputies find body while serving eviction notice in Prince George's County
According to the summary suspension obtained by DC News Now, the facility was so overwhelmed by bodies that the door to one of the refrigeration units was blocked by boxes containing remains. Unsanitary conditions persisted throughout the facility, including dried blood and other fluids on the floors and fluids leaking into boxes containing bodies.
The board said bodies were stacked on top of one another, stored in ripped body bags with parts exposed and left in unsealed cardboard boxes left ajar.
At least 18 bodies were stored above the proper temperature and inspectors said they found three 'visibly decomposing bodies.' It was later determined that one of the decomposing bodies had been in the facility since an inspection that happened in March last year.
The inspection in January was the latest in years' worth of disciplinary history against Heaven Bound Cremation Services. Rosa Williams and Brandon Williams had both been on probation due to prior improper storage of human remains.
In December 2017, just a year after first being issued a crematory permit, the board began investigating Heaven Bound Cremation Services after receiving a report about improper storage.
Rosa Williams admitted then that the cremains were 'not properly disposed of,' according to the board's Order for Summary Suspension.
At an evidentiary hearing in March 2019, she admitted that she had not yet disposed of those cremains.
Virginia, Maryland leaders speak out after Trump issues pause on federal grants, loans
The board ruled that she violated several statutory and regulatory provisions by 'comingling cremains, disposing of cremated remains in a receptacle with bio-hazard waste, otherwise improperly storing cremated remains, and failing to send cremated remains to the agent of the decedent.'
For this violation, Rosa Williams was fined and her crematory operator registration was placed on probation for a year, with conditions that she complete an ethics course and practice under a board-approved mentor.
When she did not comply with these requirements by Jan. 21, 2021, the board placed her registration on probation for a minimum of two years with conditions that she submit to random unannounced inspections and complete ethics courses.
A Board Investigator inspected Heaven Bound Cremation Services on March 21, 2024, and found bodies in cardboard boxes, remains stored in adequate temperatures, ripped body bags with limbs hanging out and more.
A follow-up inspection on April 22, 2024, revealed a 'strong odor of decomposing remains' and 'flies coming out of boxes containing human bodies,' as stated in the board's Order for Summary Suspension.
Man arrested after police find drugs in vehicle during traffic stop in Anne Arundel
Following the 2024 inspections, both Rosa Williams and Brandon Williams entered into Pre-Charge Consent Orders with the Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors.
Rosa Williams's crematory operation registration was suspended for 10 days and she was placed on probation and handed a $2,000 fine.
Brandon Williams's creator operation registration was placed on probation for two years, with conditions that he complete recertification through a nationally recognized organization, and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.
After the January 2025 findings, the board suspended Heaven Bound Cremation Services's crematory permit entirely. The facility was also ordered to surrender its permit to a representative of the board.
Heaven Bound Cremation Services has 30 days after the Jan. 17 order to request a hearing before the board, which will issue a decision on whether to lift or continue the suspension.
In a statement sent to DC News Now, Maryland Governor Wes Moore wrote,
Firstly, these allegations are despicable, and those responsible need to be held accountable.
I know the board is independent, but they have failed these families and I share in their outrage, and I stand with them in demanding justice.
There is an active investigation into this matter, and these families deserve better.'
DC News Now reached out to Heaven Bound Cremation Services, LLC and the Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors for statements. There was no response as of the time of publication.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Man sentenced for string of armed robberies targeting Trinidad construction workers
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A D.C. man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a series of armed robberies that prosecutors said targeted construction workers in the Trinidad neighborhood. The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia said that Franco Rawlings Jr., 24, was charged with two counts of armed robbery, one count of robbery and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty in August 2024 to the charges. Fairfax County police searching for 3 involved in burglary, attempted burglary Court documents said that Rawlings and a co-conspirator worked together to rob Hispanic construction workers (whom they called 'Migos' in their texts) at gunpoint. According to evidence, on April 18, 2023, Rawlings approached a welder who was working at a home in the 1400 block of Montello Ave., NE, pointed a gun at him and demanded money. He stole the victim's wallet, which had $700 inside. On May 30, 2023, Rawlings and the co-conspirator approached two victims installing a deck in the 1300 block of Montello Ave. NE. They 'forced the victims into the basement, then to the ground at gunpoint.' The pair robbed the victims and then left. On June 27, 2023, Rawlings and the co-conspirator once again approached construction workers in Northeast D.C. Prosecutors said that they confronted three workers who were remodeling a home in the 1100 block of Owen Pl. NE. Rawlings was armed with a gun and ordered the victims to raise their hands. The duo stole money from the victims before escaping. DC Public Schools to ban cell phone use starting in 2025-26 school year One day later, on June 28, 2023, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Rawlings. They found a loaded handgun and clothing matching the clothing from surveillance footage during the robberies at his home. Rawlings has been in custody since then. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Police: Four people found dead in possible murder-suicide at Manassas Park apartment
MANASSAS PARK, Va. () — Police in Manassas Park are investigating after four people were found dead inside an apartment on Thursday night. Manassas Park police told DC News Now that officers were called to a home in the 9400 block of Lanae Lane for a welfare check around 10 p.m. on June 5. Upon entering a basement apartment, police officers located two adults and two minors dead. Dupont Circle Park will officially close for DC's WorldPride weekend The police department noted that the incident was being investigated as a murder-suicide, and investigators are working to notify the next of kin. On Friday morning, the Prince William County Crime Scene Unit was parked on Lanae Lane, and crime scene tape was placed around the home. Check for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Advocates raise concerns after video appears to show ICE detain people outside immigration court
STERLING, Va. (DC News Now) — Video shared with DC News Now, taken by the advocacy group New Virginia Majority (NVM), appears to show U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents making arrests outside an immigration court in Loudoun County. Sofia Saiyed, a campaign coordinator with NVM, took one of the videos and told DC News Now she believes the people detained were taken to a detention center in Farmville. 'Sometimes they would take them one by one, and sometimes they would pack the van with a few detainees and then drive away,' she said. Hagerstown rallies for return of Vietnamese woman detained by ICE It's unclear who the detained individuals are or why they are being detained. DC News Now reached out to ICE to learn more about the apparent arrests and to learn when it would conduct an operation at a courthouse. An ICE official has not yet responded. Saiyed said she thinks the government is following a specific tactic that starts with an ICE prosecutor asking the judge to dismiss an immigration case. 'The judge will let people know that they have the ability to appeal. The individual will say, 'Yes, I want to appeal,'' she said. 'Then, they'll step out of the courtroom… and immediately be arrested.' People who want to stay in the U.S. and are trying to prove why they should be allowed to, often come to the immigration court in Sterling. Many times, it can lead to a trial where they present evidence, offer witness testimonies, and then a judge will decide whether they can stay. Miguel Palmeiro, an immigration attorney in Northern Virginia, said he now has clients who are afraid to go to court — even for people he believes have strong asylum cases. 'We had submitted something like over a thousand pages of proof of their asylum claim, and now the client's too scared,' he said. 'So the client doesn't show up to court and then they don't even have a chance to win their case… We're not even getting to the real issue of, 'should they be in America or not.'' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
