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Written by: A. Smith
Published March 10, 2025 @ 9:30 AM ET
COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities have identified 57 sets of cremated remains, including those of infants, that were discovered inside a fire-damaged funeral home in Cobb County last year. Officials are now seeking the public’s help to reunite the remains with family members.
The Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office released the names of those identified and has set a May 30 deadline for families to claim their loved ones before the county proceeds with burial. The following are the names associated with cremains recovered from Medford-Peden Funeral Home:
- Ronald G. Blackwell
- Georgia Catherine Bloomberg
- John Burke
- Ruth Clark
- Nathan Cleaton
- Tommy Crews
- Linwood Curley
- Baby Currington
- Vincent Ralph Desantis
- Mark Disbro
- Ronald Downie
- Infant Dillan Ray Edwards
- Ronald Anthony Erdody
- Faith Fitzpatrick
- Stanley Fowler
- Wanda June Fraiser
- Judy Funderbunk
- Virginia M. Gloger
- Mildred H. Grosse
- Janice Neil Hay
- Baby Kendall E. Hines
- Joan Hines
- Robert Loyd Huebner
- Marie Karlita Jefferson
- Angeline Jordan
- William Henry Kennedy
- James Edward Landford
- Janice Lisica
- Willie Norris Long
- Albert Dean Low
- Evelyn Lyon
- Lisa Ann Magana
- Terrie Martin
- John H. Mathews
- Janeka Mealing
- James Denver Moon
- Betty Motycha
- Angel Muhammed
- Glenn V. Pace
- Michael Piper
- Jeffrey Allen Reibly
- Richard Robinson
- Jessica Rogers
- James H. Rogers
- William Ruark
- Mary Silvas
- Monique Skinner
- Elinor Ruth Spalten
- Dorian C. Standford
- William Starkey
- Irene Marron Stearns
- Juanita B. Stout
- Marjahnna Syph
- Sheila Tollison
- Kenneth Wilford
- Herbert Clay Wood
- Palma Woodbridge
The remains were uncovered in November after a British photographer exploring the abandoned Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory on Canton Road found urns, human ashes, and sensitive documents. The disturbing discovery led to a multi-agency investigation.
The funeral home had gone out of business and was scheduled for foreclosure when a fire severely damaged the structure in April 2024. At the time, fire officials reported no human remains were found inside. However, on Nov. 19, Marietta police responded to a call from an out-of-state individual who had seen photos of the abandoned funeral home circulating on social media.
Upon arrival, officers found the front door forced open and the building unsecured. Inside, they discovered embalming chemicals, approximately 35 boxes of cremated remains, and death certificates attached to some of them. Police also noted signs that someone had been living in the building, including a mattress, clothing, and food.
The Medical Examiner’s Office has been working to identify the remains through various methods.
“We hope to provide answers to any family with lingering questions about a loved one’s passing,” Cobb County Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Gulledge said. “Our office has worked tirelessly to identify these cremains, and we are committed to reuniting them with their families.”
The identified remains belong to individuals ranging in age from infants to those in their 90’s, with some deaths occurring as recently as a few years ago and one dating back to 2009.
The funeral home had previously contracted with the Georgia Department of Human Services/Division of Family and Children Services to provide burial services for indigent individuals. DHS/DFCS spokesperson Ellen Brown clarified that the agency’s role was limited to processing applications to determine eligibility for indigent burial funds and did not extend to overseeing funeral home operations.
Meanwhile, the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office has launched an investigation into the funeral home’s finances and the whereabouts of its owner.
The funeral home, registered in 2010 under agent Perry Heard Jr., was dissolved in September 2021, according to state records. Heard was also listed as the registered agent for another company, CPLV LLC, which remains active as of 2024. The funeral home’s phone number has been disconnected.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of criminal charges in connection with the case, though Marietta police and fire officials have not provided further comment.
Families seeking to claim remains can contact the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office at 770-590-6596 or by emailing gillian.fletcher@cobbcounty.org.