JEFFERSONVILLE — The licenses for an Indiana funeral director and his facility have been suspended more than a month after31 unrefrigerated corpseswere found in body bags throughout the facility.
Randy Ray Lankford agreed to surrender the licenses for himself and his facility, Lankford Funeral Home and Family Center. The State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service approved the suspensions Thursday.
The bodies were found by Jeffersonville Police on July 1. Authorities say some of the bodies had been kept there for an extended period, with at least one of them having been there since March. The officers also found the cremated remains of 17 individuals.
“Grieving families must be able to trust that their loved ones’ remains will be respectfully and properly handled,” Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a news release. “Further, the unsanitary conditions at this funeral home posed a clear and immediate threat to public health and safety.
At least two families have filed lawsuits in connection to the case. The licenses are suspended indefinitely.
Documents say the Clark County Coroner's Office is currently in the process of identifying the bodies and remains and returning them to their families.
The investigation is ongoing, and Rokita's office is asking anyone with information to contact the Attorney General’s Licensing Enforcement Section by calling 1-800-382-5516.
-
'No indication' Mangione was a client of UnitedHealthcare, police say
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was likely not a client of the insurer, police said on Wednesday.Firefighters surprise cancer patient at Riley Hospital
After 860 days of chemotherapy, 17-year-old Benny Ray rang the bell at Riley Hospital to celebrate the end of his leukemia treatment — but his day was made even more special by a familiar surprise.Winchester firefighter dies in line of duty
"Rest in peace 4510, we will carry your legacy with us." The Winchester Fire Department is grieving the loss of one of their own, who died in the line of duty Thursday.Great last-minute toys that kids will love this holiday season
We are running out of time to buy toys for this holiday season. But here are some top-rated ones you can still find now, plus some that Mom and Dad will love.