The owner of a funeral home in Indiana pleaded guilty to felony theft charges. 

Following an investigation last year, Randy Lankford admitted his guilt on Friday, May 26. The investigation unearthed the horrifying revelation of 31 decomposing bodies and the post-cremation remains of 17 individuals in his funeral home.

Lankford was charged with over 40 counts of felony theft for failing to fulfill prepaid funeral services. The investigation was initiated in early July when complaints of a strong stench from the building reached the authorities. During an inspection, several bodies, unrefrigerated and in different stages of decomposition, were discovered. Alarmingly, some of these bodies had been kept at the funeral home as far back as March 2022.

Judge N. Lisa Glickfield sentenced Lankford to a 12-year term during the court proceedings, four years of which will be served in prison and the remaining eight years under house arrest. In line with the plea deal, Lankford commenced his home incarceration on Friday. The deal also relinquished his right to appeal against the over 40 felony theft charges.

As a part of his sentence, Lankford must pay $46,000 in restitution to the 53 families that were affected by his conduct. A restitution hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 23. Family members of the victims will be given an opportunity to present prepared statements and may file for additional restitution, not exceeding $1,000 per family.

Clark County’s lead prosecutor, Jeremy Mull, acknowledged the difficulty of handling the multitude of charges against Lankford, which were exacerbated by the case backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mull expressed hope that lessening the charges would provide immediate relief to the affected families and a degree of justice.

Cynthia Cape of Louisville, who engaged Lankford’s services for her husband’s funeral, received her husband’s cremated remains a year after his death due to delays in DNA testing. Despite her disappointment with Lankford’s home incarceration, she took solace in finally receiving her husband’s remains.

Derrick Kessinger, who entrusted the remains of three loved ones to Lankford’s funeral home, voiced shock at the plea deal’s terms. However, he expressed relief that the legal process was nearing completion. Kessinger, the father of two young children, showed indifference towards the restitution money.