(COLORADO SPRINGS)– Numerous animal remains were discovered in a storage unit in Colorado Springs on Thursday, Sept. 4, prompting an apology from Marcus Williams, who claims to own Peaceful Memories Afterlife Pet Care LLC.
The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) responded to a call on Thursday regarding a foul odor emanating from a storage unit near Highway 24 and 31st Street. Officers contacted the unit owner, who claimed to operate an animal cremation service.
“I knew immediately that this is what happened to Cooper,” said Terry Bender, who believes his dog is a victim.
Dr. Melissa Vollaire, owner of Transitions Veterinary Services, provides euthanasia services and began working with Marcus Williams in June. She noticed delays in the return of ashes to pet owners, which should take 10 to 14 days, were taking up to six weeks. Upon investigation, she found discrepancies in the ashes received.
“It takes a lot of trust in a cremation service. And unfortunately, it seems that the trust has been broken with this individual,” said Dr. Vollaire. “He’s very charming, seems to be an honest, solid person, and I trusted him.”
“Apparently a lot of the ashes that she was receiving from him had like… the numbers weren’t matching,” said Bender.
Further investigation revealed that Marcus Williams is a registered sex offender, with a history of legal issues in various states, some related to pets. This discovery led Vollaire to terminate her contract with Williams in August.
“I looked at his reputation and he is not new to the legal system. And, you know, I encourage folks to take a look at that,” said Bender.
Following the termination, CSPD discovered a storage unit filled with decomposing animal bodies. While police have not released the storage unit owner’s name, Extra Space Storage confirmed Williams has a lease with them.
“There’s no excuse. There’s nothing that could make it better,” said Bender.
Williams issued an apology letter, stating that the situation arose after a freezer used for temporary holding was inadvertently unplugged. He accepted full responsibility for the failure and the distress it caused.
Extra Space Storage stated they were unaware of the contents inside the unit and that such behavior is against the lease agreement and not permitted on their property.
The discovery of the animal remains has raised concerns about the trustworthiness of cremation services and highlighted the importance of proper safeguards in handling deceased pets. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to determine the full extent of the situation.
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Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
