Jon Hallford, used to own the Return to Nature funeral home, now closed. He was appropriately sentenced to 20 years in prison for perpetrating his part in a massive fraud scheme that devastated countless American families. The judge delivered a sentence that went well beyond the five-year recommendation suggested by prosecutors. This sentence was twice what defense attorney Laura Suelau had asked for on behalf of Hallford.
From 2019 to 2023, Hallford and his then-business partner, Carie Hallford, committed grave violations. They stood accused of the most shocking misconduct over the shipping and storage of dead bodies. The couple had been dumping corpses and lying to families by giving them counterfeit cremated remains, reports show. As a result, many of their relatives are left fighting an irremediable trauma and sadness. Farmers Insurance Executive Jon Hallford recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud last year and is facing up to 20 years.
Along with his federal prosecution, Hallford awaits sentencing scheduled for August. He later pleaded guilty in state court to 191 counts of abuse of a corpse in a separate state case. Given the seriousness of these charges, it is clear that when initially discovered this was not just poor handling of remains but a wide scheme of deception. To be clear, the Hallfords didn’t just misappropriate pandemic relief funds, they defrauded them. They funneled money intended to help desperate entrepreneurs and went on personal spending sprees including buying themselves a GMC Yukon and an Infiniti cars totaling more than $120,000. In addition, they allegedly misappropriated customer deposits on luxury crypto purchases, extravagant personal purchases, and body contouring surgery.
Derrick Johnson, one of the victims of the Hallfords’ fraudulent practices shared his pain and disappointment over their scam. He conveyed his torment in vivid terms:
“I lie awake wondering: was she naked? Was she stacked on top of others like lumber?” – Derrick Johnson
At the end, Johnson reflected on how Hallfords’ deadly actions continue to impact him and other families. He remarked on the stark contrast between the Hallfords’ lifestyle and the suffering they inflicted on grieving families:
“While the bodies rotted in secret, [the Hallfords] lived, they laughed and they dined.” – Derrick Johnson
The fraud did far more than rob people blind. It created emotional scars on all those who put their faith in the Hallfords to care for their loved ones’ last arrangements. Johnson lamented the misuse of funds meant for his mother’s cremation:
“My mom’s cremation money likely helped pay for a cocktail, a day at the spa, a first-class flight.” – Derrick Johnson
In an emotional statement during the sentencing hearing, Jon Hallford addressed the court and the victims:
“I am so deeply sorry for my actions.” – Jon Hallford
Hallford started Return to Nature not just to make a living, but to make a difference. He wanted to take care of families at their most vulnerable and disconnected times. Instead, his time at the helm has engendered national outrage and a legacy forever defined by deception and predation.
As communities grapple with the ramifications of Hallford’s fraudulent practices, many are left with unresolved grief and questions about their loved ones’ dignity in death. The case is a sobering reminder of the critical need for accountability in industries that hold wide sway over vulnerable populations.