safety
Brothers accused of mishandling dozens of decomposing bodies at Colorado funeral home
By Stephanie Weaver at FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
Former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Lee Cotter and his brother, Christopher Aaron Cotter, were arrested in Colorado and face 125 counts of abuse of a corpse, with a judge setting their bond at $1 million.
Why this matters in Westlake News
The disturbing allegations against the Cotter brothers in Colorado raise concerns about the oversight of funeral homes and mortuaries in the Austin area, including West Lake Hills . While the incident occurred outside of Texas, it prompts questions about the regulations and inspections in place to prevent similar incidents locally. In Travis County, where West Lake Hills is located, residents trust that funeral homes and mortuaries are handling the deceased with dignity and respect. The Cotter brothers' case highlights the need for rigorous enforcement of laws and regulations governing the funeral industry, ensuring that facilities are maintained to prevent the mistreatment of human remains. Local authorities and regulatory agencies should review their protocols to guarantee that such a horrific incident could not occur in West Lake Hills or surrounding communities.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News . Westlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Lee Cotter and his brother, Christopher Aaron Cotter, were arrested in Colorado and face 125 counts of abuse of a corpse, with a judge setting their bond at $1 million.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News and curated for Westlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stephanie Weaver at FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News. To learn more about how Westlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Westlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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