Remains of 3 bodies found in Riverdale garage identified

RIVERDALE, Ill. (WLS) -- The remains of three of four bodies found in varying stages of decomposition at a Riverdale home have been identified, as have the ashes of a fifth person.

The remains were found in the home Anton Godfrey, who died in August. Godfrey was "improperly storing bodies in his home garage which were prepared for burial," according to the preliminary Illinois State Police report. Godfrey was the subject of multiple court orders to cease and desist his in-home mortuary practices.

The three bodies were identified as Bridgette Godfrey, 50, who died 2013; Ruby Jackson, 62, who died in 2013; and Torrence Henderson, 38, who died in 2011, by the Cook County medical examiner. The ashes were that of Andre D. Mabrey, 44, who died in 2013.

Bridgette Godrey's family said Friday that they believed she had been laid to rest two years ago. Her family said they paid Godfrey for her cremation and funeral.

"He brought an urn there and supposedly there were ashes there. We don't know who ashes were in there," Madison Godfrey said.

Her story is not unique. Pompey Hicks III says he never received his father's remains after hiring Godfrey. His dad died four years ago. Last week, unaware of Godfrey's death, they filed a lawsuit against the unsanctioned funeral service Living Waters.

"Continued to give him a chance, continued to give him a chance and started pushing my patience," said Pompey Hicks III.

It's a haunting tale resonating for many who hired Godfrey. Anthony Bernard's family was dumbfounded when they saw his headstone on the evening news, tossed upside down in the overgrowth of Godfrey's yard.

Bernard was killed six years ago. His father tried for years to get his headstone to his resting place. His family told Eyewitness News they paid Godfrey nearly $6,000.

According to state records, regulators with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation fined Godfrey $10,000 in August 2013 for operating as a funeral director and embalmer without a license.

The fourth body and a bag of organs found at Godfrey's home have not been identified.

The ABC7 I-Team uncovered new information Friday that suggests Godfrey may have mishandled up to 30 funerals dating back to 2009.