Las Vegas funeral home loses license after bodies found unprocessed for months
State board revokes McDermott’s license following disturbing inspection findings
A Las Vegas funeral home has permanently closed its doors after state regulators discovered multiple bodies that had been stored for months without being cremated, leading to unsanitary conditions that prompted complaints from neighboring businesses.
The Nevada State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services voted last week to revoke the license of McDermott’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services, located on Western Avenue near Sahara Avenue. The decision came after inspectors found eight bodies that had been kept in refrigeration units for extended periods – with one remaining at the facility for nearly 11 months.
Inspection reveals troubling conditions
During a February 2024 inspection, state investigator Dr. Wayne Fazzino discovered bodies belonging to eight individuals who had not been cremated within what regulators deemed a reasonable timeframe. The deceased included Pamala Middlebrooks, Joseph Vocatura, Debi Vince, Catherine Lane-Novak, Lonna Lonning, Teresa John, Lawrence Ponteri, and Edward Elliot.
Inspection reports detailed disturbing scenes, including three coolers containing numerous bodies that were leaking blood and bodily fluids, and instances where fluids had dripped onto other bodies stored below and onto the floor. Photos provided to the board showed stained sheets that remained unchanged between inspections.
Neighboring businesses complained of odor
Business owners in the area had been voicing concerns about a persistent foul smell for months. Michael Trotta, who operates a screen-printing shop sharing a wall with the funeral home, described the odor as so overwhelming that he had to leave because it was stinking so bad.
Daran Denny, owner of a nearby tattoo shop and former medic, was more direct in his assessment, telling local media that the smell was unmistakably that of decomposition.
Owner blames county delays
Chris Grant, who owned and operated McDermott’s for eight and a half years, contested the board’s decision and attributed the delays to bureaucratic holdups. He explained that many of the bodies in question were unclaimed or abandoned, requiring approval from Clark County Social Services for payment before cremation could proceed.
“Nobody thinks that me and my staff lost everything. I just lost a 25-year career,” Grant told reporters, emphasizing the personal impact of the closure on his livelihood and employees.
Pattern of violations dates back years
This wasn’t the first time McDermott’s had faced regulatory scrutiny. Records show complaints dating back to 2021, including a previous consent decree from December citing a 46-day delay in cremating a body.
Beyond the delayed cremations, investigators found the funeral home had failed to file death certificates within the legally required 72-hour window for all eight cases. In one instance involving Lawrence Ponteri, the facility didn’t initiate the death record until 85 days after receiving the body – well beyond the 24-hour requirement.
Bodies transferred to new facility
Following the closure order on August 8, 2025, the Clark County coroner’s office supervised the removal of bodies from McDermott’s crematory. Grant confirmed that all bodies previously at the Western Avenue location have been transferred to Davis Funeral Home.
The funeral home’s general manager has disputed the board’s findings, calling the inspections “baseless” and claiming they were denied an opportunity for corrective action. She indicated plans to escalate the matter to Governor Joe Lombardo’s office.
Impact on families
The closure has left some families learning disturbing details about their loved ones’ treatment. Lisa Martin discovered through news reports that her estranged sister, Debi Vince, had been among the bodies held for months. “I didn’t know any of this. This is tripping me out,” Martin said, noting she had assumed the funeral home had properly handled arrangements.
Similarly, Azell Middlebrooks learned his veteran sister Pamala had remained uncremated from her death in May 2023 until February 2024, when he was finally contacted about her remains.
The Nevada State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services has not yet released the official minutes from last week’s meeting, which will be approved at their next quarterly gathering in November.
Image Sources: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/vegas-funeral-home-smelled-death-003901841.html
Category: Local News, Business
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 08/13/2025
