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CNN Live Sunday

Decomposing Bodies, Body Parts Found Near Georgia Crematorium

Aired February 17, 2002 - 18:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: A gruesome discovery shakes a small community in Georgia. A man who operates a crematory in the area faces criminal charges now after dozens of bodies, body parts and skeletal remains were found at the site there. The bodies were supposed to have been cremated.

We're getting more now on that gruesome discovery in northwest Georgia from reporter Deidra Dukes, who is with our affiliate WSB Television here in Atlanta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEIDRA DUKES, WSB CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Investigators set up a makeshift morgue on the property to process dozens of decomposing corpses, found stacked in storage sheds and scattered in the woods behind the Tristate crematory.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They've shown a callous disregard and disrespect to families' loved ones.

DUKES: Rock Thomas (ph) came here to find out if his aunt's corps was among about 100 different sets of remains uncovered so far.

DR. KRIS SPERRY, GA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION: I will not be surprised if when this is all over, there may be a total of several hundred.

DUKES: Investigators called out to the scene made the grisly discovery after a woman walking her dog in the woods stumbled upon a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

SHERIFF STEVE WILSON, WALKER COUNTY, GEORGIA: We've located -- began locating skeletal remains of individuals throughout the wooded area. Some were in coffins, some were in caskets, some were just thrown about the top of the ground.

DUKES: They found dozens more bodies stacked up in sheds on the grounds. Authorities believe some of the bodies were placed there in the last week or so. The corpses in the woods had been there possibly three years or longer.

Officials say the Marsh family has owned the crematory for about 30 years, and is cooperating with investigators. WILSON: The only explanation that we've received at this point is that the crematorium was broken, was inoperable for a period of time. It would work some time, it would not work some other times.

DUKES: Police say Brent Marsh, wanted on five felony warrants of theft by deception, turned himself into police.

It's believed the remains may date as far back as 1996, when Brent Marsh reportedly started running the crematorium.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We never anticipated or dreamed that there was a thought that her body would not be taken or disposed of respectfully, and brought them here to Lord knows what happens.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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