New Delhi, Aug. 23 -- State inspectors in Colorado found about 20 decomposing bodies behind a hidden door in a funeral home owned by a county coroner, who told them he may have given fake ashes to next of kin who sought cremations, authorities disclosed Thursday.

The bodies were discovered in a room behind a door hidden by a cardboard display during an inspection of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, about 110 miles (177 kilometers) south of Denver. Inspectors found a "strong odor of decomposition" after arriving at the business on Wednesday. Brian Cotter - the owner and Pueblo County coroner - had asked them not to enter the room, according to a document from state regulators.

Colorado long had some of the weakest oversight of funeral homes in ...