Former funeral home owner indicted on more charges

COFFEE Co., Ga. – According to our news partners with the Daily Coffee Press,

This series of indictments comes after months of investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, following the October 2024 discovery of decomposing human remains during an eviction action at the funeral home.

The case began in October 2024 when deputies executing an eviction notice at the Johnson Funeral Home discovered 18 decomposing bodies inside the facility, along with the remains of two pets. Chris Johnson was arrested shortly thereafter and initially charged with 17 counts of abuse of a dead body.

In January 2025, a Coffee County grand jury returned a 60+ count indictment against Johnson. That indictment detailed allegations that Johnson not only failed to properly care for the remains entrusted to him, but also charged families for cremation services that were never performed and falsely reported vital records information.

That same day, prosecutors also filed a separate four‑count indictment (1) alleging insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, first‑degree forgery, and violation of vital records registration after an investigation by the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire. The GBI also charged Johnson with additional counts around that time.

As the investigation progressed, the GBI announced in October 2025 that all affected families had been notified regarding their loved ones and the cremains provided to the GBI. They also announced that evidence discovered throughout investigation led to Johnson being charged with 38 additional counts.

In the most recent update, a grand jury returned two follow‑up indictments that consolidate and expand upon the prior charges.

Indictment 2:

This indictment includes allegations arising primarily from the mishandling of remains and associated financial fraud:

•Dead Body Abuse – 21 counts

•Abandonment of a Dead Body – 17 counts

•Theft by Deception – 22 counts

•Forgery in the First Degree – 6 counts

•Violation of Vital Records Registration – 2 counts

-Total: 68 counts

Indictment 3:

This separate indictment focuses on additional alleged theft and abuse offenses, including:

•Abandonment of a Dead Body – 5 counts

•Theft by Deception – 11 counts

•Theft by Taking – 5 counts

¥Forgery in the First Degree – 5 counts

•Violation of Vital Records Registration – 1 count (if included based on naming in the indictment text)

-Total: 35 counts

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