Good morning and welcome to Montrose Fresh, from The Montrose Daily Press. It’s Monday April 12th and we’re here to bring you a closer look at our top stories, events and more that matter to us here in Western Colorado. 

Today - Sunset Mesa Funeral Foundation defendants were ordered to pay millions of dollars to 30 people who sued them over the selling of their loved ones’ bodies. 

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Now, our feature story.

Sunset Mesa Funeral Foundation defendants were ordered to pay millions of dollars to 30 people who sued them over the selling of their loved ones’ bodies. 

After hearing testimony in February, Montrose District Judge Cory Jackson awarded all but one plaintiff damages.

Jackson found that Sunset Mesa defendants Megan Hess, Shirley Koch, and Alan Koch were all liable. 

Lead plaintiff Christopher Artrup and the other 29 plaintiffs suffered in four ways according to Jackson’s order. First, the defendants stole money that was paid for proper funeral services. Second they stole personal property like jewelry from the bodies. Third, they actually stole and sold the bodies. And finally, these actions caused pain and suffering.

During February proceedings, plaintiffs told of nightmares. Enduring trauma and grief. They detailed the pain of not knowing what had become of loved ones.

Debra Schum testified to caring for her best friend of 30 years in her final days. She entrusted her arrangements to Sunset Mesa, only to later learn Johnson’s body was sold.

The judgment totaled about $16 million. Payments range between $468,000 and close to $1 million per plaintiff.

But attorney Keith Killian reminded his clients that being able to find these funds will be difficult. Especially since the FBI has seized assets from the defendants.

The Artrup case was one of six lawsuits filed against Sunset Mesa. Of the six, it’s the fourth to result in a judgment against Sunset Mesa Funeral Foundation defendants.

Separate from the civil action, Megan and her mother Shirley have been federally indicted over an alleged scheme to acquire and sell human remains. 

Sunset Mesa Funeral Foundation did business as Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors in Montrose until 2018. It was then when the FBI and state of Colorado served search warrants.

Hess and Shirley Koch were federally indicted last year on allegations of mail fraud. The fraud related to shipping diseased human remains. 

Ultimately the feds allege the women engaged in a scheme to get bodies to sell to the medical and research market.

The case is tentatively set for trial in August.

To read more about this meeting visit us at montrosepress.com

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And before we go we’d like to highlight recent updates on the Rotary Amphitheater.

The city has broken ground on the new Rotary Amphitheater construction site near the Cerise Park dog park.

So far, construction workers have completed the land contouring.

Mayor pro tem Dave Frank noted that they’re moving forward in a fast and great way.

With the land contouring complete, workers are now installing pipelines.

Frank said the city is hoping for the project to be completed around late fall. Just in time for seasonal concerts.

For now, the city has a tentative opening ceremony planned. The ceremony may even feature a concert.

Construction on the amphitheater broke ground back at the start of March. The project comes as part of an effort to bring more people to Montrose for events. 

The city anticipates the amphitheater will also boost the economy. Everything from providing jobs to construction workers, architects and vendors, to filling up hotels, restaurants and gas stations.

To learn more about the project visit us at montrosepress.com

That’s all for today, thank you for listening! For more information on any of these stories visit us at montrosepress.com.

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