Investigation continues after decomposing bodies found at Chicago funeral home | LIVE Updates

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is working to identify the remains of 56 people found in advanced stages of decomposition at South Chicago Chapel earlier this month, with only nine cases still unresolved, officials said.

In an exclusive interview with the ABC7 I-Team, Cook County Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar said the discovery represents an unprecedented challenge during her tenure.

In an exclusive interview with the ABC7 I-Team, Cook County Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar said the discovery represents an unprecedented challenge during her tenure.

Forensic teams have been working extended hours to identify the deceased. While bodies in good condition can often be identified through visual recognition by relatives or fingerprint comparisons with law enforcement databases, many of the remains found at the funeral home -- that had not been stored properly according to authorities -- required more complex methods.

For cases involving severe decomposition, investigators rely on X-rays and dental examinations. Technicians scan the remains for medical devices and surgical implants that can be matched to records. Arunkumar said a double knee replacement helped positively identify one individual found at South Chicago Chapel.

The 56 sets of remains were discovered Aug. 6, and as of Monday, nine remained unidentified, primarily those in the most advanced stages of decomposition.

The medical examiner's office is also using rapid DNA technology in its most difficult cases. When identifications cannot be made at the medical examiner's office, DNA comparisons are conducted by state police and, in some cases, the FBI.

The medical examiner's office also received dozens of cremated remains but does not have the ability to identify them. Officials said the office is offering free cremation services for families whose loved ones were found at South Chicago Chapel and have since been identified.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said Friday evening that 47 of the 56 remains found improperly stored at South Chicago Chapel funeral home have now been identified.

ABC7 is compiling a full list of the names here.

Families affected by the discovery of dozens of decomposing bodies at South Chicago Chapel gathered at a community forum in Morgan Park to speak with an attorney and learn about available services, but many said they still lack answers about their loved ones.

Sisters Marshawna and Franquella Campbell said they continue to question whether the ashes they received after their mother's death in April were authentic.

The Campbells were among several families attending the forum.

Christine White said it took more than four months to receive her son's ashes in 2024. She also alleged the funeral home refused to accept payment from the state's victims compensation fund and made errors in paperwork related to her son's death.

Families are seeking answers amid investigations into bodies found at South Chicago Chapel funeral home and Bohemian National Cemetery and Crematory.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office says it has identified 33 of the 56 bodies found at the funeral home.

Among those identified was Raymond Delgado, who died after a shooting last month in Gary that also killed his 10-year-old nephew, Montana Weathers.

Delgado's family said they were unable to view his body at the medical examiner's office. Unable to afford arrangements for a second funeral, they said he will be cremated by the medical examiner's office.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said Friday afternoon that 33 of the 56 remains found improperly stored at South Chicago Chapel funeral home have now been identified.

ABC7 is compiling a full list of the names here.