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Authorities say they’ve removed two dozen decomposing bodies and other remains from a Colorado funeral home owned by a local coroner. Tuesday’s announcement marked the first time investigators have provided an exact count of decomposing bodies after remains were found behind a hidden door at Davis Mortuary in Pueblo last week. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation says the homes of Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter and a brother who is also listed as an owner of the funeral home have been searched. Neither brother has been arrested or charged and the investigation is expected to be lengthy.

State inspectors in Colorado say they found about 20 decomposing bodies behind a hidden door in a funeral home operated by a county coroner. Authorities said Thursday that the funeral home operator said he may have given fake ashes to next of kin who sought cremations. Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter also told inspectors that some of the bodies at his funeral home had been awaiting cremation for about 15 years. No charges have been filed as the investigation continues.