The owner of a funeral home in Indiana pleaded guilty to felony theft charges.
Randy Lankford, who owns and operates the Lankford Funeral Home and Family Center in Indiana, admitted to his guilt on Friday, May 26. This comes after an investigation last year that revealed 31 decomposing bodies and the post-cremation remains of 17 other people stored inappropriately in his funeral home.
Lankford faced in excess of 40 counts of felony theft charges, attributed to his failure to deliver prepaid funeral services. The inquiry began in early July upon receipt of complaints about a strong, unpleasant odor originating from the premises. Subsequent inspection by authorities found multiple bodies, in various stages of decay, stored without refrigeration. Worryingly, some of these bodies had been left at the funeral home since March 2022.
During the court hearing, Judge N. Lisa Glickfield handed down a 12-year sentence to Lankford, with four years to be served in custody and the remaining eight years under house arrest. As part of his plea bargain, Lankford was allowed to begin home incarceration on Friday. Importantly, this agreement also removes his right to contest the more than 40 counts of felony theft.
As part of his punishment, Lankford is required to pay restitution of $46,000 to the 53 families affected by his actions. A hearing for the restitution is set for 9 a.m. on June 23. Affected family members will have the chance to deliver prepared statements and may also submit contingent claims for further restitution, capped at $1,000 each.
Clark County’s chief prosecutor, Jeremy Mull, acknowledged the intricate challenges involved in handling the numerous charges against Lankford, which were exacerbated by the backlog of cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mull expressed optimism that reducing the charges would offer immediate relief to the aggrieved families, aiding them in finding some form of justice.
Among those impacted by Lankford’s actions is Cynthia Cape from Louisville, who entrusted Lankford with her husband’s funeral arrangements. Cape received her husband’s cremated ashes a year after his demise due to DNA testing delays. Although she was dismayed by Lankford’s house arrest, she derived some comfort from finally receiving her husband’s remains.
Derrick Kessinger, who placed the remains of three of his loved ones, including his father and fiancée, in Lankford’s care, expressed surprise at the terms of the plea deal. Despite this, he experienced some relief knowing that the legal proceedings were drawing to a close. Kessinger, a father to two young boys, seemed ambivalent about the restitution money.
