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By James Bickerton
News Reporter
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State officials have launched an investigation into Richardson Mortuary, a "full service funeral home" in southwestern Houston, after a viral video appeared to show bodies lying uncovered at the facility without air conditioning.
Newsweek contacted the Richardson Mortuary for comment on Saturday via online inquiry form outside regular office hours.
What To Know
On Facebook, David Mcgruder posted a video he said he filmed at Richardson Mortuary, where his mother was meant to be. The clip has received more than 6 million views.
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The footage showed dead bodies lying uncovered in various places around the facility, with The Houston Chronicle reporting that some had allegedly been there since February.
In the video, Mcgruder can be heard saying: "They got dead bodies in this building with no AC. No AC, man. These people are family members. Y'all family members up here in this building with no AC. They're not taking care of them."
On Friday, TFSC Director Scott Bingaman confirmed that the conditions seen in the video were accurate, the Chronicle reported.
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Bingaman added that he had been told that Michael Bell, who owns the Richardson Mortuary, was hospitalized in February, which might have bearing on the situation. The facility's roof was also damaged by Hurricane Beryl, which battered the southeastern United States in July 2024.
According to the Houston Police Department (HPD), a stabbing also took place at Richardson Mortuary on Friday that left one person injured. HPD spokesperson Erika Ramirez said the alleged attacker was an employee at the mortuary but did not provide further details.
The facility is being investigated by the TFSC, HPD and Harris County Sheriff's Office.
On Friday, people with relatives inside Richardson Mortuary congregated outside to raise their concerns and seek answers. According to Bingaman, there was already one open complaint against Richardson Mortuary and a second was closed earlier this year.
What People Are Saying
Texas Funeral Service Commission Director Scott Bingaman told Newsweek: "The Texas Funeral Service Commission is in the early stages of an investigation involving the conditions at Richardson Mortuary. Once made aware of the situation, an inspector from the Commission was immediately dispatched to the scene. The results of that inspection are being carefully evaluated and, in collaboration with local law enforcement, will proceed with next steps in the agency's investigation."
Referring to the bodies, one woman who had a relative in the facility told The Houston Chronicle: "They're in the middle of the hallway. They're just in all these different caskets in different boxes. It's hurtful. I'm glad it's out because now something is going to be done."
What Happens Next
The TFSC and law enforcement agencies are investigating the situation at Richardson Mortuary. Bell reportedly contacted other funeral homes in the area asking if they could remove some of the bodies.
Update 4/15/25, 3:10 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with comment from Texas Funeral Service Commission Director Scott Bingaman.
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