• Chris Johnson, owner of Johnson Funeral Home in Douglas, GA, was arrested on 17 counts of mistreatment of a corpse.
• On October 26, 2024, 18 decomposed bodies were found in the funeral home during the eviction notice.
• The GBI identified 12 of the 18 remains and notified the families; The identification of the remaining 6 people is ongoing.
• The GBI Crime Lab is evaluating the cremations to determine if they are human remains and to verify cremation information.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified 12 of 18 remains found at Johnson Funeral Home on October 26, 2024.

The discovery comes after the GBI arrested the owner of Johnson Funeral Home in Douglas Georgia.
Chris Johnson is accused of 17 counts of abusing corpses.

The arrest follows an investigation that began on Saturday, October 26, 2024, when the GBI was requested by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies announcing the evacuation at Johnson Funeral Home discovered 18 bodies in various stages of decomposition.

The GBI and Coffee County Coroner’s Office notified families of the identified remains and provided them with the necessary information to finalize arrangements for their loved ones.

Out of respect for their privacy, the GBI will not be releasing their identities at this time. The GBI is continuing to work to identify the other 6 remains and expects this to happen soon. The GBI Crime Lab is evaluating the returned remains to determine whether they are human remains.

The GBI continues to work to verify cremation information and whether remains were sent to the correct families and other investigative leads.

The Criminal Investigations Division of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner is also assisting the GBI in investigating insurance proceeds irregularities. This investigation is active and ongoing.

Additional fees are expected.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 384-4227 or the GBI Regional Investigation Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477): https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-onlineor by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be turned over to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.