UPDATED: Douglas deputies serving eviction notice confronted with more serious crime

UPDATE:

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Johnson Funeral Home in Douglas, Georgia

 

FULL NEWS RELEASE: https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-10-28/gbi-arrests-funeral-homeowner-douglas-ga-multiple-counts-abuse-dead-body

 

Douglas, GA (November 7, 2024) – The GBI’s regional investigative office in Douglas continues to get many questions regarding the investigation into Chris Johnson and the Johnson Funeral Home. To provide some answers to those affected by this tragedy, here are some common questions received and the answers we are able to provide at this time:

• Have the 18 remains found at the funeral home been identified?

All the remains are being examined by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office at GBI Headquarters in Decatur, Georgia. They are working closely with the GBI Crime Lab, as well as our regional investigative office in Douglas, to make positive identifications. This process is time-consuming, due to both the volume and complexity of the case. We expect to have most of the remains identified in the near future, but we cannot provide a time frame. Once the identities have been confirmed, the families will be notified so that they can make other arrangements for their family members. After family notifications, the GBI will provide a news release to inform the public of the progress, but it will not include the names of those identified to protect the privacy of those families.

• Can cremains be positively identified as my loved one?

Unfortunately, we are unable to identify cremains as a specific person. We are able to determine if the cremains are of a human origin or not.

• If I have turned over cremains, when will I know the test results?

The cremains have been turned over to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office at GBI Headquarters for further examination. Many families provided us with what they were told were the cremains of their loved ones. We are unable to provide an exact timeframe for when the examinations will be completed.

• How do I know that the cremains I have are of my family member?

It has been well reported that certain cremation identification numbers do not match those at a local crematory used by Chris Johnson. We are working to determine if we can provide any answers regarding whether a family received the correct cremains.

• How can I get items back from the search of Johnson Funeral Home?

This is an ongoing criminal investigation, so we are unable to return any item we feel may be relevant to the investigation. If we come across items that we feel are not relevant to the investigation, we may return them before the investigation is complete. We are also unable to confirm if we found certain items during the search. We understand that this may cause inconveniences for certain families, but our goal is to conduct a thorough investigation that provides the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office with the best opportunity to prosecute this case.

• How long will this investigation take?

We cannot put a timeframe on this investigation. It is complex and requires many resources, such as agents, scientists, and intelligence analysts, as well as coordination with other state agencies. Much of what we are doing now is gathering information from victims. The information we receive will then direct our next investigative actions. We ask for your patience and your trust as we work to find as many answers as possible for the victims. We will provide updates to the public, when possible, but our focus is on the criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution.

• I have concerns about my experience with Johnson Funeral Home, who should I contact?

If you have already contacted the GBI Watchdesk, we have received your information and are working to contact each person. If you have not contacted the GBI yet, please submit information via the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Information can also be submitted by calling the GBI Watchdesk at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477). If you have tried contacting the GBI Douglas Office, we still do not have phone lines due to Hurricane Helene. We appreciate your patience at this time.

Contact

Special Agent in Charge Jason Seacrist

[email protected]

Contact

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jessica Hamilton

[email protected]

 

By Carol A .Gasser Moore

 

DOUGLAS, Coffee County, Georgia – Due to the complexity of its investigation, the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) has indicated that it is working to centralize their information flow between the community and the GBI.  With that information, they have also released information about their investigation.  That investigation culminated Sunday, October 27, when their investigators arrested and charged Chris Johnson (39) of Douglas with seventeen (17) counts of Abuse of Dead Body.  Johnson is the owner of Johnson

 

GBI’s involvement in the case began on Saturday, October 26.  On Saturday, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) requested assistance from the GBI.  An eviction notice being served by CCSO deputies at Johnson Funeral Home lead the deputies to the discovery of eighteen (18) bodies in various stages of decomposition at the funeral home.   By Saturday night, several agencies were at Johnson Funeral and Cremation Services in Douglas.

Sometime after the additional agencies partnered with the CCSO officers, the owner of Johnson Funeral and Cremation Services in Douglas was arrested.  Authorities arrested Johnson at his home and took him into custody.

 

The Lanier County News has not confirmed that there may also have been two (2) pets in also found decomposing.

This investigation is active and ongoing. When the investigation is completed, additional charges are expected.

 

For those persons who may have deceased family members at the Johnson Funeral and Cremation Services, the GBI states that there are three methods available to submit information about the decedents or their family members.

 

Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged by the GBI to contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) at 912-384-4227 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at 912-389-4103.

 

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or by going on-line to https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online/

 

Tips may also be provided by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app which is the preference expressed by the GBI.

 

The GBI states that once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.