On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office executed an eviction notice at Johnson Funeral and Cremation Services, which is managed by Chris Johnson, 39, of Douglas.
During the execution of this notice, deputies made a discovery of 18 bodies in various stages of decomposition within the facility. These findings prompted a request of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to step in, resulting in the arrest of Chris Johnson, who has been charged with 17 counts of Abuse of a Dead Body. The investigation remains active and ongoing, with additional charges anticipated as authorities continue to gather evidence and conduct thorough inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deceased individuals.
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office acknowledges the distressing nature of this investigation and the anxiety it has caused within the community, particularly among those who may have connections to the deceased. To streamline inquiries and information flow, the sheriff’s office is working with the GBI to centralize communications. Community members who have concerns or information regarding the decedents or their relatives are urged to reach out by contacting
1-800-597-TIPS (8477), through an online platform at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by utilizing the See Something, Send Something mobile app.